Miss Michigan Rima Fakih is first Muslim to win Miss USA title
(HMG) – “Miss Michigan” Rima Fakih has been crowned “Miss USA” Sunday night. After nearly tripping during the evening gown part of the pageant, Fakih, 24, beat out 50 other hopefuls (Washington, D.C. gets a contestant) to win the pageant, held at the Planet Hollywood Casino in Las Vegas. Miss Oklahoma Morgan Elizabeth Woolard was the runner-up.  Born in Lebanon, Fakih emigrated with her parents to the U.S. as a baby, and is believed to be both the first Arab American and the first Muslim ever to earn the title. “This is historic,” said an official in Michigan’s American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. “This shows the greatness of America, how everyone can have a chance to make it.” The last time Miss Michigan won the pageant was in 1993. The pageant’s judges were an eclectic mix, including NBA star Carmelo Anthony of the Denver Nuggets and Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir.
