The first Muslim crowned Miss USA spoke out against the planned mosque near Ground Zero yesterday, saying the project is insensitive to 9/11 victims.
"We should be more concerned with the tragedy than religion," said Miss USA Rima Fakih, who was born in Lebanon but raised in Dearborn, Michigan.
"I totally agree with President Obama with the statement on Constitutional rights of freedom of religion," Fakih told "Inside Edition."
"I also agree that it shouldn't be so close to the World Trade Center."
A planned 13-story community center and mosque two blocks north of Ground Zero, Park51 mushroomed into a national controversy last week after President Obama spoke in favor of the project at a White House dinner celebrating Ramadan.
Fakih, 24, is in Las Vegas rehearsing for Monday's Miss Universe pageant, officials said yesterday.
She told the Detroit Free Press on Tuesday she's fasting from sunrise to sunset for Ramadan.
The former Miss Michigan became the first Muslim to be crowned Miss USA in May. She dazzled judges when she took the stage in a skimpy red and orange bikini.
She would also be the first Muslim to be crowned Miss Universe.
Fakih commissioned a flashy gold and silver eagle costume for the competition that she calls a tribute to Obama.
"The symbolism of this costume is a tribute to your work to bring peace to the world," Fakih said of the winged outfit in a promotional video for Miss Universe.
"The amazing costume I will wear during the Miss Universe pageant represents the celebration of life, liberty and all that is American."
Fakih hit a rough patch in May when TMZ.com posted photographs of the beauty competing in a "Stripper 101" competition at a Michigan bar.
She was crowned pole dancing champion at the event.
"We should be more concerned with the tragedy than religion," said Miss USA Rima Fakih, who was born in Lebanon but raised in Dearborn, Michigan.
"I totally agree with President Obama with the statement on Constitutional rights of freedom of religion," Fakih told "Inside Edition."
"I also agree that it shouldn't be so close to the World Trade Center."
A planned 13-story community center and mosque two blocks north of Ground Zero, Park51 mushroomed into a national controversy last week after President Obama spoke in favor of the project at a White House dinner celebrating Ramadan.
Fakih, 24, is in Las Vegas rehearsing for Monday's Miss Universe pageant, officials said yesterday.
She told the Detroit Free Press on Tuesday she's fasting from sunrise to sunset for Ramadan.
The former Miss Michigan became the first Muslim to be crowned Miss USA in May. She dazzled judges when she took the stage in a skimpy red and orange bikini.
She would also be the first Muslim to be crowned Miss Universe.
Fakih commissioned a flashy gold and silver eagle costume for the competition that she calls a tribute to Obama.
"The symbolism of this costume is a tribute to your work to bring peace to the world," Fakih said of the winged outfit in a promotional video for Miss Universe.
"The amazing costume I will wear during the Miss Universe pageant represents the celebration of life, liberty and all that is American."
Fakih hit a rough patch in May when TMZ.com posted photographs of the beauty competing in a "Stripper 101" competition at a Michigan bar.
She was crowned pole dancing champion at the event.
