A new Miss USA was crowned on Sunday night, the first American Muslim woman believed to have held the title in a pageant of beauty that has caused some divided loyalties in the Islamic community
A new Miss USA was crowned on Sunday night, the first American Muslim woman believed to have held the title in a pageant of beauty that has caused some divided loyalties in the Islamic community.
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| Miss controversy: Michigan-based Rima Fakih has caused some divided loyalties in the Islamic community, after she won the title on Sunday. Reports emerged this morning that Fakih may be stripped of her crown, as she participated in a pole dance contest in 2007. Pic/AP |
Rima Fakih (24) took the prize ahead of 50 other finalists at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. She moved to the US as an infant, first to New York and then in 2003 to Dearborn, Michigan, where she now lives.
The nature of the competition, with its swimsuit, evening gown and interview segments, has caused some controversy among Muslims in the US and the Arab world.
There have been incidents of Islamic scholars issuing fatwas instructing women not to participate.
Some supportBut in Dearborn, Fakih received considerable support. The town is regarded as the capital of Muslim America because of its large Islamic population.
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| Crown in danger |
| Fakih won a pole dancing contest in 2007 hosted by a Detroit radio morning show Mojo in the Morning. In a series of photos posted on theu00a0 show's website, she is seen provocatively working her way up and down a stripper pole. While Miss Universe representatives have requested additional information regarding Fakih's involvement in the annual Stripper 101 contest,u00a0u00a0 they did not confirm if her crown was in danger. |
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In an interview before the competition, Fakih said she was aware that some locals might not approve. "I think the community in Dearborn might be a little on the strict side, but my family in general are not," she said.
Both Muslim and Christian faiths are followed by different strands of Fakih's family, which has roots in the southern Lebanese village of Srifa. She was sent to a Catholic school in New York, and in her Dearborn home they celebrate Christmas and have a painting of Jesus on the wall.
It has been reported that several Arab-American groups backed Fakih financially in earlier stages of her pageant career, including the Michigan branch of the America-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee.
Its director, Imad Hamad, said that he had experienced opposition from some local Muslims who thought beauty contestants were "not something they wish to see". But he added, "It took a great deal of passion, guts, courage and self-confidence to compete for a title like this."
As her prize Fakih will be given a one-year lease on a New York apartment, living expenses, an undisclosed salary and other perks.
1952, the year the first bathing suit competition was held in Long Beach, California
