She beat 16 other women to be crowned Miss Algeria, but Khadija Ben Hamou’s win has been subjected to a torrent of racist abuse.

Update: Organisers of Miss Algeria speak out after winner is targeted by racist trolls

Khadija made history when she became the first black woman to take the crown at the annual beauty pageant on Saturday, but her win has since been tainted by online trolls who flooded Facebook and Twitter with comments about her appearance.

When other social media users began to call out those spouting racist abuse, some Twitter users maintained it had nothing to do with race. “She just wasn’t that pretty,” one person wrote.

I'm not the paranoid type but certain social media accounts always to trying to stir up trouble when it comes to Algeria, most recent example the reaction to Miss Algeria 2019, some people are trying to make it about race, race has nothing to do with it she's just not that pretty pic.twitter.com/xxgzZ3awmd — Walid Bylka (@bylka613_) January 5, 2019

Just one of the comments aimed at Khadija Ben Hamou. Facebook

Another comment left on Facebook.

Plenty of other users were quick to praise the diversity of this year’s competition and jump to Khadija's defence.

One Facebook user wrote: “If I understand correctly, you want a Miss Algeria that looks like a Swedish!? It's one of the charms of our diversity, a Saharan charm, I'm glad to finally see a miss who comes from the south Algerian [sic].”

Miss Algérie 2019 est beaucoup trop belle ❤️ Vous la méritez absolument pas, je lui offre tout mon soutien 💫 pic.twitter.com/tKdVE4DNEK — Otceles (@ChamsousSabbah) January 6, 2019

Another wrote: “Y’all can’t be making fun of her nose, hair and skin complexion and say it’s not racist.”

Khadija, who comes from Adrar in the south of the country, took part in 20 rounds of the competition before being crowned Miss Algeria 2019.

She will go on to represent the country at Miss World, and will take part in charity work.

________

Read more:

'I hope you die': influencer Dina Torkia shares shocking amount of abuse she's received since taking hijab off

Five things you didn't know about Filipina Miss Universe winner Catriona Gray

From Miss Philippines to Miss Universe: the previous Filipina winners and where they are now

_________