Miss Iraq's family fled the country after receiving death threats

The family of Miss Iraq has reportedly fled their country after receiving death threats.

The Iraqi beauty queen, Sarah Idan, drew intense criticism when competing in the Miss Universe competition last month after she posted a selfie with Miss Israel. Some also condemned Idan for participating in the swimsuit part of the beauty pageant.

Miss Israel, Adar Gandelsman, and Idan posted the photo on their Instagram accounts, each receiving thousands of likes, as well as a lot of angry comments.

Idan captioned the image: "Peace and Love from Miss Iraq and Miss Israel".

As the controversy mounted, Idan's family in Iraq began to receive death threats and went into hiding. The beauty queen, who already resided in the United States, confirmed to The Independent that her family has since left Iraq, fearing for their safety.

Despite the controversy, Miss Iraq doubled-down on the photo, leaving it online and writing: "I want to stress that the purpose of the picture was only to express hope and desire for peace between the two countries."

Iraq, as is the case with most other Arab nations, does not have official diplomatic relations with Israel.

Idan was the first woman to represent her country at the international beauty pageant in 45 years.

"Miss Iraq smiles while posing with the beauty queen of the occupying, monstrous state at the Miss Universe pageant preparations in Las Vegas. Are people outraged by this in Iraq?" 

"You want peace with the enemies, with those who invade lands and murder innocent children."

Miss Iraq isn't the first Arab beauty queen to stir controversy after a photo involving Israel.

Miss Lebanon Emigrant 2017, Swedish-Lebanese Amanda Hanna, was stripped of her title just over a week after being crowned when it was revealed that she had traveled to Tel Aviv.

Lebanon officially considers Israel an enemy state and citizens are banned from communicating with Israelis or visiting the country. 

Many also called for Miss Lebanon 2015, Sally Greige, to be stripped of her title after Miss Israel shared a selfie with her and several others.

Greige defended herself on Instagram at the time, saying Miss Israel had pestered her for a picture and then photobombed her.

"Since the first day of my arrival to participate to Miss Universe, I was very cautious to avoid being in any photo or communication with Miss Israel, who tried several times to take a photo with me," she said.

"I was having a photo with Miss Japan, Miss Slovenia, suddenly Miss Israel jumped in and took a selfie, and uploaded it on her social media [sic]," she added.

Despite the controversy, officials at the time decided not to strip Greige of her crown.