Beauty Contestant Death Plot

(Israel) A 17-year-old Druze girl, Doaa Fares, changed her name to Angelina (after Angelina Jolie) and entered the Miss Israel Beauty Pageant. Outraged that the striking brunette would display herself in a pageant, members of her family plotted to kill her. As a result, Miss Fares withdrew from the pageant and disappeared into protective custody.

Understanding the Druze helps explain the death plot. They are a Middle East religious sect of no more than one million adherents who practice a combination of beliefs drawn from Judeo-Christian and Islamic theologies along with bits of Greek philosophy. The Druze accept no converts, believe in reincarnation and are secretive (both to outsiders and most followers).

Muslims consider Druze an offshoot of Islam but the Druze apparently do not. Rather the Druze are considered to be Israelis, as is demonstrated by their honorable service in the Israeli Defense Forces. Significantly, the Druze also identify themselves as Arabs.

With their secretiveness and non-alignment with any of the world's major religions, the Druze have compartmented themselves in a cocoon of privacy and mystery. Consequently, it is reasonable to assume that any publicity is unwanted and publicity is exactly what center stage at a beauty pageant produces. And, of course, Angelina acted contrary to Druze standards for morality and decency, whatever they may be. All the foregoing made her a target.

Tip: JunkYardBlog