Global Arab Network | Rima Fakih Crowned Miss USA 2010: Arab Americans Rejoice

Translate this article to your language:

GANPublications

e-Publications

Add Site to Favorites

Add Page to Favorites

Make Homepage

Share This Page

RSS Feed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| |

Rima Fakih Crowned Miss USA 2010: Arab Americans Rejoice

Ameera David

Monday, 24 May 2010 19:04

With a big win just last Sunday night, Rima Fakih's life changed.

Fakih, recently holding the Miss Michigan title, beat out 50 other beauties and ended the 17 year dry spell of Michigan ascending into the highly coveted Miss USA spot.

The win has been a source of pride for Michiganders thirsty for positive attention amidst increasingly negative press regarding the state's downtrodden economy and depressed auto industry.

Yet dually proud is Michigan's sizeable Arab American community, who are holding their heads 1 inch taller today knowing Fakih has made history in more ways than one.

Despite early reports that Miss USA 1983 Julie Hayek was the first of Arab descent to hold the title, it was recently confirmed that Rima Fakih is indeed the first Arab American, first immigrant (born in Lebanon), and first Muslim to hold the Miss USA title.

Still overcome by the recent coronation, community members are vocalizing their support for the Dearborn native. A prominent voice amongst the crowd is that of Imad Hamad, Regional Director of the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC).

"The community at large has been expressing every bit of support. This is an achievement for Rima just as much as it is an achievement for all of us" said Hamad.

Adding to such sentiments, Wassim Mahfouz, Executive Director of the Lebanese American Heritage Club, said Fakih will be a great role model and advocate for people of Middle Eastern descent across the country.

"Arab Americans will now look to Rima to carry the torch. She is one who embodies the confidence, ambition, determination, and commitment that we know our strong energetic community members have."

"She is indeed a success story" added Mahfouz.

Yet it is a success story that many thought would never happen. Hamad recalls the pessimism he heard from many who thought the country was too racially prejudiced to choose an Arab American as Miss USA.

"People were skeptical mostly because of the political and cultural climate we, as Arab Americans, have been coping with, which sadly makes us often surrender to the conspiracy theory that we can't achieve" he said.

While some in community were doubtful that Fakih could in fact win the Miss USA title, the beauty queen was able to find her moral support within a network of friends whom held unrelenting faith that she could, and furthermore would win the competition.

Rami Haddad, a co-organizer for the "Miss USA Rima Fakih Watch Party" Sunday night, said he isn't surprised Fakih was able to prevail in the competition.

"Rima is the most beautiful, friendly, loving, down to earth, and funniest person you will ever meet. I have never met anyone who has all those qualities balanced in one package. I always had strong faith that she would come out on top" said Haddad.

Another co-organizer of the event was Susan Saleh, who is currently one of the beauty queen's closest Michigan friends and who has also remained one of Fakih's most vocal supporters throughout her reign as Miss Michigan.

"It wasn't a question in my mind whether she would win or not. I know it's crazy to say that, but you just have to know Rima. I knew it was in the bag" said Saleh.

While Lebanese American, Leah Saad, will admit she never thought "it was in the bag," she says Fakih defied her expectations and made her believe in the power of determination.

"I am so proud and ecstatic that she is a Dearborn girl just like me. It just shows that we are all capable of doing amazing things, no matter what background we come from," said Saad.

Similarly enthralled by the win, Palestinian American Ahmad Dwaik thinks this triumph could be the key to changing the existing, often negative stereotypes of Arabs in the media.

"Perhaps it will now be possible for others to realize Arab Americans are beautiful people that are "normal looking" and "normal acting" as opposed to what the media usually portrays," he said.

Echoing such sentiments, Lebanese American Amanda Jawad, says she is happy this will prove Arab Americans are an integral part of the American cultural fabric. "This win sends a much needed message that we are American just as much as we are Arab."

With all the excitement blooming over the new titleholder, community members are waiting in anticipation for Fakih's homecoming, which will be a chance to celebrate her victory and the hope her victory resembles.

Already, plans are in the works. Fakih's friend, Susan Saleh hopes to plan a big party for Rima when she can come back to Michigan.

Hamad too says all the Arab American organizations are in active communication and will host a welcome reception and celebration upon her return.

With almost 11 million Google results available after typing in "Rima Fakih" and already 26 national media interviews lined up over the course of the next month, many in the community still find it hard to believe that this new-found celebrity is from their hometown.

Yet, perhaps it's a reality that will set in as community members from all around metro-Detroit drive in and out of Dearborn- each time passing a newly altered sign that reads:

"Welcome to Dearborn, Home of Miss USA Rima Fakih".

Global Arab Network

Ameera David is a Web Content Producer and Writer based in Detroit writing for ArabDetroit.com, the largest Arab American online news source.

Add comment

The opinions of the authors in articles published are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Arab Network
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Published comments are the opinions of private individuals and do not reflect the views of Global Arab Network