What the Fakih is going on? Rima won Miss USA

By Hassan Rassmy, Staff Writer

One student’s take on this year’s Miss USA winner

Rima Fakih, a Lebanese American, recently won the title of Miss USA this month at the Planet Hollywood Hotel, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Rima is thought to be the first Arab American and immigrant winner of the pageant, as past records are not thorough enough to prove otherwise.

Rima moved to the United States at a very young age from Lebanon, first landing in New York, and later Michigan, where she eventually grew up, in Dearborn, which has a highly populated Arab community. From there, she would win the Miss Michigan pageant, and later go on to the national level in Las Vegas. Rima actually sold her own car to achieve her ascendancy to the pageant.

Rima has been featured on a number of talk shows, and because of her success as the winner, will tour the country, as the official representative of the pageant.

As with every contestant, drama is a large factor. A few pictures of Rima “pole-dancing” surfaced, but were not an issue. Rima later explained that the “party” she was at was in fact held at eight o\’clock in the morning, and was meant only for women, not your usual scandalous storyline. What seems to be the bigger issue is her religious affiliation. With Rima being of Arab background, religion plays a big part. Rima identifies as celebrating both Muslim and Christian holidays.

Within the Arab and Muslim spheres, there’s been talk of how she isn’t a good Muslim. But to each: their own. This isn’t a religious issue, it’s a cultural one. Many take pride to know that as of today, the “The most beautiful American,” happens to be Arab. It’s a large source of pride for both Arabs and Arab Americans alike.

As Rima put it, “My victory means anyone can make it in America.”

Hell yes Rima, hell yes.