First Muslim Miss USA embraces Christianity, starts posting Bible quotes

Rima Fakih, the first Muslim Miss USA, has reportedly converted to Christianity.

The former Miss USA, a Lebanese-American who was born to a Shia Muslim family, had been posting biblical quotes on her social media accounts, sparking speculation that the beauty queen may have converted to Christianity. 

On March 29, Fakih tweeted a quote right out of the bible and a picture of herself from the Miss USA pageant in 2010 where she won the title. It quoted, "Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me." The day after, she followed it up with an inspirational message related to God that said, "Only God can turn a mess into a message, a test into a testimony, a trial into a triumph, a victim into a victory." 

According to Albawaba, Fakih converted sometime in April in preparation for her forthcoming wedding to Christian fiancée and music producer Wassim Salibi. The couple will reportedly tie the knot in Lebanon on May 15. Canadian artist The Weeknd will be flying in to perform together with Lebanese-Canadian singer Massari at the wedding reception.

In an interview with Religion News Service published by The Huffington Post in 2010, Fakih described her religious upbringing, sharing that she grew up in a liberal and contemporary Muslim environment.

"We're more of a spiritual family. Religion really doesn't define me or my family," Fakih said, adding, "My family's been very liberal, and we appreciate all different kinds of religions." She also said that she considers herself blessed that her family is a mix of different religions and ethnicities. "My family is Muslim. But none of this ever came up in our family. We don't look at religion as something that defines us, we look at religion as something that we respect, and something that teaches us about ethics," the beauty queen shared. 

Fakih grew up in a Catholic school and celebrated Easter and Christmas as well as Ramadan and other Islamic holidays with her family. She added that it was when she studied in the University of Michigan, in which there's a large Muslim community, that her father encouraged her to acquaint herself more with Islam.