After Miss Iraq dropped her award as a result of threats, a new girl is Miss Iraq, and she is again Armenian. [this one is little bit nicer than the previous one…]

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http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/iraq/060411a.asp

New 'Miss Iraq' Crowned after First Winner Flees Country
By Rae Pearson
CBN News Producer

CBN.com – (CBN News) – Tamar Goregian, a Christian woman, made history as the first Armenian Iraqi to be crowned Miss Iraq.

"Maybe beauty is the final step to end violence and preach world peace after all," Goregian had said. "The power of beauty surpasses the ugly face of politics and greed."

But, after her win, she received threats from a group of religious extremists who referred to her as "the queen of infidels."

She then stepped down after holding the title for only four days, the shortest reign in the pageant's history.

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 former Miss Teen Iraq also happens to be a Christian.

She refuses to let hatred rob her of this opportunity.

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."