Dr Mahra Lutfi, prva Emiratka koja je osvojila titulu Miss Planet International, važi za simbol snage, elegancije i humanosti. Kao lekar, humanitarac i buduća kandidatkinja za Miss Universe 2025, ona spaja tradiciju Emirata sa modernim svetom, pokazujući da je moguće biti i liderka i uzor, negujući svoju kulturu dok inspiriše generacije širom sveta.
U razgovoru za Harper’s BAZAAR otkriva kako joj sportovi oblikuju karakter, kako humanitarni rad u Afganistanu definiše poimanje lepote, i kako planira da koristi svoju platformu da širi pozitivne promene globalno. Njena priča je putovanje između nauke, nasleđa i humanosti – pravi vodič za sve koji žele da svoje snove pretvore u stvarnost.
Zovu vas „Emiratska Wonder Woman“. Kako vaša emiratska kultura — od sokolarstva do konjičkih tradicija — oblikuje ženu koja ste danas?
Moje emiratsko nasleđe je srce onoga što jesam. Sokolarstvo i konjičke tradicije nisu samo sportovi za nas, već simboli snage, gracioznosti i otpornosti. Podsećaju me da ostanem prizemljena, ponosna na svoje korene, dok istovremeno težim ka višem. To što me zovu „Emiratska Wonder Woman“ je čast, jer znači da nosim svoje nasleđe sa snagom i dostojanstvom, i inspirišem druge da prihvate svoje korene.
Vaša porodica je veoma ugledna: vaša majka je plastični hirurg, a vaš otac je blisko sarađivao sa šeikom Hamdanom Al Maktoumom. Kako je to uticalo na vaš put kao doktorke i globalne ličnosti?
Moj otac, Ahmed Lutfi, je direktor u kancelariji Njegove Visokosti šeika Hamdana Rashida Al Maktouma i njegov najbolji prijatelj više od 45 godina. Od njega sam naučila šta znači pravo vođstvo — voditi sa gracioznošću, dostojanstvom i skromnošću, dok ostajete ukorenjeni u emiratskoj kulturi i ponosu. Moja majka je plastični hirurg više od 30 godina, radeći u bolnici Rashid, jednoj od najboljih u Dubaiju. Ona me je naučila saosećanju kroz medicinu i umetnosti vraćanja samopouzdanja. Zajedno su mi dali temelje da služim drugima. Njihov primer me vodi svakog dana, bilo da sam u bolnici, na bini ili predstavljam svoju zemlju svetu.
Miss Universe kruna slavi žene koje menjaju svet na bolje. Radili ste sa „Doctors Without Borders“ u Avganistanu, lečeći decu sa rascvetalim usnama i donoseći im osmehe. Kako je taj humanitarni rad oblikovao vašu viziju lepote sa svrhom?
Prava lepota nije u izgledu, već u tome kako činite druge da se osećaju. Kada sam lečila decu i videla njihove prve osmehe, shvatila sam da lepota znači služenje, ljubav i nadu. Takmičenja mi daju binu, ali humanitarni rad mi daje svrhu. Ta kombinacija je ono što želim da podelim sa svetom.
Mnogi vas vide kao doktorku i lepoticu. Da li mislite da vam medicinska karijera daje dublju odgovornost kao uzoru?
Apsolutno. Biti doktorka znači nositi živote u svojim rukama; biti lepotica znači nositi nade u svom srcu. Zajedno mi daju odgovornost da pokažem mladim ženama da ne moraju birati između nauke i glamura, između inteligencije i lepote. Možete biti oba — i to je pravo osnaživanje.
Jedan od stubova Miss Universe-a je vođstvo koje inspiriše. Koju poruku želite da prenesete mladim ženama u UAE i širom sveta koje vas vide kao dokaz da snovi mogu postati stvarnost?
Moja poruka je jednostavna: verujte u svoj glas, čak i kada drugi sumnjaju. Kao mlada Emiratska žena, sanjala sam velike snove — da lečim ljude kao doktorka, da zablistam kao lepotica, da inspirišem kao humanitarka. Ako ja mogu, i vi možete. Snovi su univerzalni; ono što ih čini stvarnim je hrabrost.
Prošle godine ste napravili istoriju kao prva Emiratka koja je osvojila Miss Planet International u Kambodži. Sada ste na pragu Miss Universe 2025. Da li osećate da je ovo vaš trenutak da ponovo ispišete istoriju?
Osećam da je ovo istorijski trenutak, ne samo za mene već za svaku Emiratsku ženu. Pobeđivanje na Miss Planet International je dokaz da Emiratka može stajati na globalnoj sceni i sijati. Sada, Miss Universe je prilika da inspirišem svet. Ako pobedim, neću nositi samo krunu — nosiću ponos nacije.
Šta mislite da vas izdvaja od drugih lepotica koje se takmiče ove godine?
Svaka kraljica je lepa, ali ono što mene čini posebnom je kombinacija nauke, nasleđa i srca. Ja sam doktorka koja spašava živote, žena duboko povezana sa svojim Emiratskim korenima i humanitarka koja radi za decu. Nosim snagu svoje kulture, disciplinu medicine i saosećanje kroz služenje. To je ono što me izdvaja.
Miss Universe je više od lepote — radi se o autentičnosti, inteligenciji i uticaju. Kako na binu donosite svoj smisao za humor, šarm i jedinstvenu ličnost?
Uvek sebi podsećam da kruna najsjajnije sija na radosnom srcu. Moj smisao za humor mi omogućava da se povežem sa ljudima izvan fizičkog izgleda. Kada stajem na binu, donosim ne samo eleganciju, već i toplinu i pristupačnost. Miss Universe je o tome da budete pravi, i želim da svet vidi i moju snagu i moj smeh.
Ako pobedite na Miss Universe, kako planirate da koristite titulu da utičete na svet izvan krune?
Ako pobedim, moja misija će biti da koristim platformu Miss Universe za proširenje humanitarnih projekata — od pristupa zdravstvenoj zaštiti za decu, do održivosti i osnaživanja žena. Titula nije samo kruna; to je megafon za širenje važnih ciljeva.
Poznati ste kao ikona bezvremenske lepote i mode, sa preko 30 miliona pratilaca na društvenim mrežama. Kako koristite svoje platforme da utičete s elegancijom, a ne samo vidljivošću?
Verujem da uticaj nije u brojkama, već u efektu. Moji pratioci vide moju modu, ali takođe žele da vide moje vrednosti — posvećenost nasleđu, predanost zdravlju, humanitarni rad. Modu koristim da inspirišem samopouzdanje, ali svoj glas da inspirišem promene.
Bili ste pozvani na prestižni Filmski festival u Veneciji zajedno sa najvećim holivudskim zvezdama. Kakvo je bilo to iskustvo i kako je bilo biti jedna od prvih Emiratki na tako globalnoj sceni?
Venecija je bio san koji se ostvario. Hodanje crvenim tepihom sa najvećim holivudskim zvezdama me je podsetilo da Emiratske žene pripadaju svakoj globalnoj sceni. Osećala sam da ne predstavljam samo sebe, već svoju zemlju — pokazujući da Emiratske žene mogu sijati u modi, filmu i kulturi.
Jedan od vaših snova je da budete prva Emiratka u Holivudu. Da li vidite takmičenja i film kao paralelne puteve da izrazite sebe i inspirišete druge?
Da, jer i takmičenja i film su moćne platforme za pripovedanje priča. Kroz Miss Universe, pričam priču o osnaživanju i nasleđu; kroz film, želim da pričam priče koje povezuju srca širom sveta. Moj san je da budem prva Emiratka u Holivudu, otvarajući vrata za one koje dolaze posle mene.
Uskoro ćete glumiti u novoj Netflix TV emisiji. Šta možete da otkrijete o tome?
Veoma sam uzbuđena što sam deo ovog novog Netflix projekta. Nažalost, ne mogu otkriti ime jer sam potpisala ugovor o poverljivosti. Ali mogu reći da će biti sjajno i jedva čekam da to predstavim na globalnoj sceni. Za mene je važan Emiratski ponos — predstavljati svoju kulturu i zemlju pred milionima širom sveta.
Pobediti na Miss Universe ne bi značilo samo krunu, već i uzor za milione. Kako se emocionalno i duhovno pripremate za ovo putovanje?
Pripremam se disciplinom, ali i zahvalnošću. Emocionalno ostajem prizemljena kroz porodicu i veru. Duhovno, podsećam se da je ovo putovanje veće od mene — radi se o predstavljanju mog naroda, mog nasleđa i snova mladih žena koje se vide u meni.
Van takmičenja, kakav trag želite da ostavite — kao doktorka, humanitarka, globalna građanka i žena koja sa ponosom predstavlja UAE?
Moj trag je da pokažem da žena može biti sve što sanja — doktorka, humanitarka, lepotica i liderka. Želim da utabam stazu prilika za žene u UAE i šire, dokazujući da kultura i modernost mogu ići ruku pod ruku.
Ako biste morali izabrati jednu reč koja vas definiše — doktorka, slavna ličnost, humanitarka ili Wonder Woman — koju biste izabrali i zašto?
Izabrala bih Wonder Woman, jer ona predstavlja snagu, saosećanje i otpornost. Kao i ona, trudim se da budem više od jedne stvari — da budem iscelitelj, lider i izvor inspiracije za narednu generaciju.
English here:
“Emirati Wonder Woman: Dr. Mahra Lutfi on Heritage, Humanity, and the Crown”
You’ve been called the “Emirati Wonder Woman.” How do your roots in Emirati culture —from falconry to equestrian traditions — shape the woman you are today?
My Emirati heritage is the heartbeat of who I am. Falconry and equestrian traditions are not only sports for us, but symbols of strength, grace, and resilience. They remind me to stay grounded, proud of where I come from, while always reaching higher. Being called the “Emirati Wonder Woman” is an honor, because it means carrying my heritage forward with strength and dignity, and inspiring others to embrace their roots.
Your family is very distinguished: your mother is a plastic surgeon, and your father worked closely with Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum. How has this background influenced your path as a doctor and global figure?
My father, Ahmed Lutfi, is the Director of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Rashid Al Maktoum’s office and has been his best friend for over 45 years. From him, I learned what true leadership means — leading with grace, dignity, and humility, while always being rooted in Emirati culture and pride. My mother has been a plastic surgeon for over 30 years, working at Rashid Hospital, one of the best hospitals in Dubai. She taught me compassion through medicine and the art of restoring confidence. Together, they gave me the foundation to serve others. Their example guides me every day, whether I am in the hospital, on stage, or representing my country to the world.
The Miss Universe crown celebrates women who create impact. You’ve worked with Doctors Without Borders in Afghanistan, healing children with cleft lips and bringing smiles to their faces. How has this humanitarian work shaped your vision of beauty with a purpose?
True beauty is not in how we look, but in how we make others feel. When I healed children and saw their first smiles, I understood that beauty is service, love, and hope. Pageants give me a stage, but my humanitarian work gives me purpose. That combination is what I want to share with the world.
Many fans see you as both a doctor and a beauty queen. Do you think your medical career gives you a deeper responsibility as a role model?
Absolutely. Being a doctor means carrying lives in your hands; being a beauty queen means carrying hopes in your heart. Together, they give me the responsibility to show young women that you don’t have to choose between science and glamour, between intelligence and beauty. You can be both — and that’s the real empowerment.
One of the Miss Universe pillars is being a leader who inspires. What message do you want to give young women in the UAE and around the world who see you as proof that dreams can come true?
My message is simple: believe in your voice, even when others doubt it. As a young Emirati woman, I dreamed big — to heal people as a doctor, to shine as a beauty queen, to inspire as a humanitarian. If I can do it, so can you. Dreams are universal; what makes them real is courage.
Last year you made history by becoming the first Emirati to win Miss Planet International in Cambodia. Now, you stand at the gates of Miss Universe 2025. Do you feel this is your moment to make history again?
I do feel this is a historic moment, not only for me but for every Emirati woman. Winning Miss Planet International was proof that an Emirati could stand on a global stage and shine. Now, Miss Universe is about inspiring the world. If I win, I will not just be wearing a crown — I will be carrying a nation’s pride.
What do you believe makes you stand out from other beauty queens competing this year?
Every queen is beautiful, but what makes me unique is the combination of science, heritage, and heart. I am a doctor who saves lives, a woman deeply connected to her Emirati roots, and a humanitarian who works for children. I bring the strength of my culture, the discipline of medicine, and the compassion of service. That is what sets me apart.
Miss Universe is about more than beauty — it’s about authenticity, intelligence, and influence. How do you bring your sense of humor, charm, and unique personality to the stage?
I always remind myself that a crown shines brightest on a joyful heart. My sense of humor allows me to connect with people beyond appearances. When I walk on stage, I bring not only elegance but also warmth and relatability. Miss Universe is about being real, and I want the world to see both my strength and my laughter.
If you win Miss Universe, how do you see yourself using the title to impact the world beyond the crown?
If I win, my mission will be to use the Miss Universe platform to expand humanitarian projects — from healthcare access for children, to sustainability and women’s empowerment. The title is not just a crown; it’s a megaphone to amplify causes that matter.
You’re known as an icon of timeless beauty and fashion, followed by over 30 million people across social media. How do you use your platforms to influence with elegance, rather than just visibility?
I believe influence is not about numbers, it’s about impact. My followers see my fashion, but I also want them to see my values — my commitment to heritage, my dedication to health, my humanitarian work. I use fashion as a way to inspire confidence, but I use my voice to inspire change.
You were invited to the prestigious Venice Film Festival alongside Hollywood’s biggest stars. What was that experience like, and how did it feel to be one of the first Emiratis shining on such a global stage?
Venice was a dream come true. Walking the red carpet with Hollywood’s biggest stars reminded me that Emirati women belong on every global stage. I felt I was not just representing myself, but my country — showing that Emirati women can shine in fashion, film, and culture.
One of your dreams is to be the first Emirati in Hollywood. Do you see pageantry and film as parallel paths to express yourself and inspire others?
Yes, because both pageantry and film are powerful storytelling platforms. Through Miss Universe, I tell the story of empowerment and heritage; through film, I want to tell stories that connect hearts around the world. My dream is to be the first Emirati in Hollywood, opening doors for others who come after me.
You’re going to be starring in a new Netflix TV show this year. What can you tell us about it?
I’m very excited to be part of this new Netflix project. Unfortunately, I can’t reveal the name yet because I signed a non-disclosure agreement. But what I can say is that it’s going to be something great, and I cannot wait to showcase it on a global stage. For me, it’s about Emirati pride — representing my culture and my country in front of millions worldwide.
Winning Miss Universe would not only make you a queen, but a role model for millions. How are you preparing yourself emotionally and spiritually for this journey?
I prepare with discipline, but also with gratitude. Emotionally, I stay grounded through my family and faith. Spiritually, I remind myself that the journey is bigger than me — it’s about representing my people, my heritage, and the dreams of young women who see themselves in me.
Beyond pageantry, what legacy do you want to leave — as a doctor, as a humanitarian, as a global citizen, and as a woman who represents the UAE with pride?
My legacy is to show that a woman can be everything she dreams to be — a doctor, a humanitarian, a beauty queen, and a leader. I want to leave behind a trail of opportunities for women in the UAE and beyond, proving that culture and modernity can walk hand in hand.
If you had to choose one word that defines you — doctor, celebrity, humanitarian, or Wonder Woman — which would it be, and why?
I would choose Wonder Woman, because she represents strength, compassion, and resilience. Like her, I strive to be more than one thing — to be a healer, a leader, and a source of inspiration for the next generation.
Credits :
Model @missglobalpeace
Photographer @fashitect
Mua @khadidjabrahimi
Hair @hairbyraad
Producer @say__media
