'Too handsome' for Saudi Arabia: How Omar Borkan conquered the world
Omar Borkan Al Gala is an Iraqi model, actor, and photographer. Some years ago, he was curiously declared the most handsome man in the world.
In the picture, the actor Terrence Howard and Omar Borkan at the Global Gift Gala in Dubai on December 12, 2015 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Omar was born in Baghdad, Iraq, in September 1989. He grew up in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Then he lived for some time in Vancouver, Canada.
Image: Omar Borkan / Instagram
The model studied photography and has a degree in hotel management. He's not famous because of his hotel management skills, though.
Photo: Omar Borkan / Instagram
The thing that made Omar Borkan an instant celebrity was his supposed 'expulsion' from Saudi Arabia in 2013. The motive? Omar was said to be '"too handsome." This story quickly went viral around the world.
Picture: Omar Borkan / Instagram
In an interview with Quién magazine, Omar later clarified the situation. He was really only denounced for performing inappropriate dances with his friends at a religious festival. They had supposedly upset some young girls, he explained.
Photo: Omar Borkan / Instagram
The Saudi Arabian authorities also released their side of the story. They said they never asked Omar and his friends to leave the country, only the festival.
Picture: Omar Borkan / Instagram
"I was really just minding my business," Omar told Quién magazine. "I ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Photo: Omar Borkan / Instagram
Once the infamous incident and its story went viral, Omar was invited to several TV shows and interviewed by media all over the world.
Picture: Omar Borkan / Instagram
In the process, he was praised as the most handsome Arab man in the world, and at some point, even the most handsome man in the world.
Picture: Omar Borkan / Instagram
Omar's popularity on social media skyrocketed, especially after he was reportedly expelled from his country. On Instagram alone, Omar currently has over 1.3 million followers. And on his Instagram account, which the model began in September 2012, he has over 1.2 million followers.
Picture: Omar Borkan / Instagram
But what has become of Omar after all the turmoil he went through in 2013?
Photo: Omar Borkan / Instagram
Omar Borkan got married in 2015. The lucky woman was Yasmin Oweidah.
Photo: Yasmin Oweida / Instagram
After receiving comments from disappointed fans, lamenting that he was now 'taken,' Omar wrote: "I would like all of you, my dear fans, to respect this and be happy for me... You will all get to this point one day."
Photo: Omar Borkan / Instagram
Yasmin is a model and fashion designer who was lucky enough to conquer the hottest man in the world.
Photo: Yasmin Oweida / Instagram
However, marrying the famous model was not easy. She received a lot of criticism from people who did not consider her "pretty enough" for Omar.
Photo: Yasmin Oweida / Instagram
Yasmin had a response to the critics: "Do not worry about those who speak behind your back, they are behind you for a reason."
Photo: Yasmin Oweida / Instagram
Although everything seemed to be going well between them, Omar announced in 2018 that he had separated from his wife. He wished her all the best in the world.
Photo: Omar Borkan / Instagram
But the couple will always be close, as Omar and Yasmin have a son. The boy Theyab was born in 2016. He has been a great companion for Omar, as you can see in the pictures the model posts on Instagram.
Photo: Omar Borkan / Instagram
Omar's life goes back and forth between Canada and Dubai as he continues to work as a model with international clients.
Picture: Omar Borkan / Instagram
And he has a channel on YouTube called 'Mazaj', in which he shows his more than 340,000 subscribers his life full of luxury and extreme adventures.
Image: Omar Borkan / Instagram
For one, Omar uploads many photos on his social media to show off his car collection.
Photo: Omar Borkan / Instagram
Recently, the model has changed his image a bit. This is how we got to know him a few years ago...
Photo: Omar Borkan / Instagram
... and now he has a different hat to match the rest of his Western outfit.
Photo: Omar Borkan / Instagram
Although he looks more mature, no one can deny that he's still very attractive. The title "most handsome man in the world" continues to make sense.
Photo: Omar Borkan / Instagram
For Omar, there is more to life than being handsome, though. "My goal in life is to be the best I can be, and to motivate myself every morning to achieve that goal."
Image: Omar Borkan / Instagram
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