In a world that often treats beauty as a silent image, Hayat Murad has chosen to empower it with a voice—one that echoes from the beautiful Sinjar, a land that has witnessed brutality, genocide, and tragedy but is still blooming with resilience.
Kurdistan has long been known for the beauty and bravery of its women. It is the land of women warriors, princesses, peshmerga fighters, and civil society activists whose fame has crossed international boundaries. Kurdistan’s history is also filled with remarkable women – like Kchi Kafirros, or “the Hay Seller” – and now, Hayat Murad, whose beauty has taken her to the international stage.
A young Kurdish Yezidi woman, Murad has been nominated by the prestigious TC Candler platform as one of the world’s 100 most beautiful faces for 2025. More than just a nomination, it marks a historic moment: she is the first Kurdish or Yezidi woman ever included on the global list, which has recognized unique faces from around the world since 1990. Yet Murad’s story transcends beauty and glamor—it is a narrative of meaning, identity, and strength, with a woman using her voice to represent her people on the global stage.
Beauty and pain
Born in Sinjar, Murad grew up in a community deeply scarred by war, genocide, and displacement. For her, this was tripled: as a woman, a follower of a persecuted faith, and a member of a marginalized ethnicity. These layers of oppression became especially vivid in 2014, when ISIS targeted the Yezidis in a campaign of violence and terror.
But time revealed something else. “What doesn‘t kill you makes you stronger,” as goes the aphorism of the 19th century German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. From the ashes of pain, some souls are born braver, and more determined to reach the light. For Murad, art and beauty became the windows into a softer world and tools to reshape the narrative of her life and people.
“I grew up in a place full of hardship,“ she tells Kurdistan Chronicle. “But I found in beauty and art a way to express myself, my identity, and my people’s struggles. I started with drawing, then moved into fashion and design. I saw it as a way to give my community a voice.”
More than just a pretty face
Murad’s journey is not defined by physical beauty alone. She has a degree in English literature from the University of Duhok, and her love for art and design has shaped her into a multidimensional figure, who can speak, paint, and represent all at once.
She’s not simply a beautiful woman posing for pictures; she’s painting a more beautiful future. And she has already been recognized for it. Murad has exhibited her art internationally, won several awards, and even earned a special certificate from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees for her work in a global art competition—an extraordinary achievement for such a young artist.
“She wasn’t just another name in a beauty contest,” says one local artist familiar with her work. “She’s a voice. A vision. A bridge between pain and healing.”
Merging art, beauty, and identity
Murad remains deeply rooted to her Kurdish Yezidi identity. When she speaks of her heritage, it is not with secondhand knowledge, but with the lived experience of someone who has survived its harshest realities.
“My culture is part of who I am,” she says. “We are a people who have faced persecution for centuries. That made me value art as a tool for preserving memory and expressing the collective soul of my community.”
In 2022, Murad competed in Miss Iraq. It was a bold move at the time that stirred pride within the local community. Her participation was not about fashion or fame, but a message to all saying that Kurdish Yezidi women are strong, proud, and silent no more.
Being named as one of the 100 most beautiful faces in the world brought Murad both joy and a sense of responsibility. For her, the recognition was never about glamor, but dignity.
“This nomination is about representing Yezidi, Kurdish, and Iraqi women on a global platform. In a region where women face so many obstacles, it’s a step toward proving that beauty can carry strength and speak for justice.”
Murad believes true beauty is not defined by symmetry or trends but is defined by authenticity and purpose. Through her art, she wants “to show the world that beauty is not just in appearance. It’s in the message, the meaning, and the will to rise above everything. It is about using your platform to create change regardless of how small it might appear to be.”
In a global culture where beauty standards are often narrow and shallow, Murad represents rarity and diversity. She challenges the notion that there is only one way a person can self-manifest and look beautiful. She insists that beauty must reflect cultural richness and emotional depth.
A voice for Kurdistan
What gives Murad wings isn’t fame or talent but her people. From Sinjar to Dohuk, from Kurdish youth to fellow artists, she is embraced as one of their own.
“The support I’ve received has been amazing,” she says. “My family, friends, and people from my community believed in me. That belief gives me the strength to keep going.”
It is not easy to remain grounded in the spotlight, especially for women from conservative or traumatized communities. Yet Murad carries herself with dignity, inspiring a generation that is hungry for hope.
And she is far from done. Her future plans stretch beyond beauty contests or fashion shows. She hopes to manage projects that showcase her nation’s cultural, artistic, and humanitarian legacy, an activism woven into her very identity. “I don’t want to be remembered just for a title or a nomination,” she explains. “I want to use what I’ve gained to help others, to speak about the struggles of my people, and to build something lasting. Whether it’s through art or awareness, I’ll keep working.”
Her message to the next generation – especially to young women is clear: “Discover your talent. Embrace who you are. Don’t be afraid to express yourself through creativity. Let your voice be heard.”
Iman Asaad is a Kurdish journalist based in Erbil, Kurdistan Region.
