There's a Miss Saudi Arabia ... and a lot of people are surprised

Malak Youssef, a Saudi woman who's currently taking part in the "Miss Arab World" beauty pageant, is causing quite the stir on social media.

Why? 

Because Saudi Arabia doesn't host an official national beauty pageant and Saudis have never heard of Youssef before. 

According to Bawabat Al Ahram, the 24-year old was nominated by a Saudi civil society organization and is now taking part in the competition which annually takes place in Egypt. 

Youssef is the 2nd Saudi woman to participate in "Miss Arab World." 

Her run at the pageant comes eight years after Saudi Moda Nour, competed at the same beauty contest and also won its title in 2009. 

Speaking to the news site, Youssef said she was proud to represent her country in the competition. 

The final winner of this year's "Miss Arab World," pageant is set to be announced late on Saturday. 

"Miss Saudi Arabia: How the pageant went down." 

"This isn't part of our traditions or our religious values. There's nothing called a national beauty pageant in Saudi Arabia. I don't even think she's Saudi in the first place."

"She should be held accountable over this, along with the organization who gave her this title. How can they crown a beauty queen to represent the kingdom when no one in the country even knows anything about it?"

"Are you serious? This is Miss Saudi Arabia? Are you sure the people who nominated her are mentally stable?"

"Beauty pageants aren't only about physical appearance. There are other things jury members often take into consideration, like intellect and charisma. She was nominated because she deserves it; to bully her and make fun of how she looks is simply unacceptable."