New 'Miss Iraq' Crowned after First Winner Flees Country

CBN News reported , that Tamar Goregian who made history for being the first Iraqi Armenian to be crowned Miss Iraq, had stepped down after holding the title for only four days!

Her decision was due to the fact that she received threats from a group of religious extremists who referred to her as "the queen of infidels."

Typically the runner-up gladly takes the crown. But this was not your typical pageant. The second and third runners-up -- both Muslim women -- said "No thank you," and withdrew from the competition with their own security concerns.

So who will wear the Iraqi crown?

Despite the threats, engineering student Silva Shahakian has accepted the title. The new Miss Iraq also happens to be a Christian ( most probably Armenian too).

Shahakian said, "This chance does not come to every girl here. So I'm lucky to have that....I'm not going to lose it.”

Pageant organizers plan to send their brave beauty queen to the Miss Universe Pageant.
“We just wanted to show that there are educated, literate, beautiful young women who can do something to revert the PR image of this country," The Pageant organizer said.

If she competes, she will be the first Iraqi delegate sent to the Miss Universe Pageant since 1972,and Shahakian is determined to make the trip.

“I will take care. I will change my living place,” Shahakian affirmed. “I would like to take that chance. I will do my best."

Well, what else did they expect !