The first Muslim ‘Miss USA’ has converted to Christianity. And she’s making her faith known on social media.
Rima Fakih is believed to be the first Muslim to win the title of Miss USA when she was crowned the winner in 2010.
Now, the beauty pageant winner has converted to Christianity, recently sharing a verse from Philippians 4:13 on Twitter. That verse reads I can do all things through him who strengthens me
Fakih converted to Christianity last month in preparation for her marriage in Lebanon next week to Wassim Salibi, a wealthy Christian music producer.
At the time of winning the Miss USA title, Fakih said, “I’d like to say I’m American first, and I am an Arab-American, I am Lebanese-American, and I am Muslim-American.”
According to the news site Albawaba, Fakih only connected to her Muslim roots in college.
In the article Fakih said, “When I went to the University of Michigan, because there’s more of a Muslim community, my dad wanted me to learn more about Islam,” “I didn’t know much about Ramadan and other holidays, and my dad wanted me to take that opportunity and learn.”
Fakih’s faith was Shia Muslim but she attended a Catholic school.
In a Huffington Post interview in 2010 she said: “We’re more of a spiritual family. Religion really doesn’t define me or my family. My family’s been very liberal, and we appreciate all different kinds of religions.”
She added: “My brother-in-law is Christian, and he (and my sister) baptised their two sons. I have an uncle who converted to Christianity, and he’s a priest now.”