Miss Brussels in Dire Straits

Brussels Journal ^ | November 22, 2006 | Paul Belien

[Parmenio]

Last September Halima Chehaïma, the 18-year old daughter of a Moroccan father and a Flemish mother, was elected Miss Brussels. Until next week Ms Chehaïma was also the absolute favorite of the bookmakers for the election of Miss Belgium next month. She was thought to be an excellent candidate to symbolize the multicultural paradise that Belgium has become. However, a girl’s dream was shattered.

Halima Chehaïma was a controversial candidate. Last October she stood for the Marxist-Leninist Labour Party in the local elections in Molenbeek, the predominantly Muslim Brussels borough where she lives. The party is so marginal that she did not get elected, but her declaration that Israel must be wiped off the map raised the eyebrows of the organizers of the Miss Belgium pageant. What really seems to have ruined her chances, however, is her connection with Bilal Ould Haj, a Belgian criminal of Moroccan origin.

Ould Haj, who has been convicted three times so far for armed robberies, is soon to stand trial for torturing the 84-year old Maria Reyntjes. When he broke into the latter’s home in November 2003 and found only 500 euros (650 dollars) he flew into a rage, broke the old lady’s legs with a hammer and set her hair on fire. At the time he was Chehaïma’s sweetheart, though she claims they were just friends.

Last July Ould Haj was able to escape from jail (easy in Belgium: he said he was someone else and was allowed to walk out). Meanwhile, however, Halima Chehaïma had fallen in love with an Albanian criminal. When Ould Haj encountered the Albanian last week the two men started quarrelling, whereupon the latter knifed the former twice in the neck. Ould Haj survived the assault, was taken to hospital and arrested. The police are currently investigating whether Miss Brussels had been visiting Ould Haj in his Brussels hide-out and whether she helped to keep him out of their hands.

[Parmenio]

More news of interest from the Eurtopia. If you haven't checked it out, Brussels Journal is a fascinating look into the developing social and political environment of Old Europe.

[Revolting cat!]

All of them? Lucky blokes!

[jdm]

Mr. Brussel's incoming:

[Bluegrass Conservative]

*sigh* It should be a requirement that if you post something about a "Miss Anywhere" that a picture is provided. lol

[2banana]

A pretty girl with no brains...

[Safetgiver]

We have rules,please. Photos.

[Rummyfan]

The party is so marginal that she did not get elected, but her declaration that Israel must be wiped off the map raised the eyebrows of the organizers of the Miss Belgium pageant. What really seems to have ruined her chances, however, is her connection with Bilal Ould Haj, a Belgian criminal of Moroccan origin.

Ould Haj, who has been convicted three times so far for armed robberies, is soon to stand trial for torturing the 84-year old Maria Reyntjes. When he broke into the latter’s home in November 2003 and found only 500 euros (650 dollars) he flew into a rage, broke the old lady’s legs with a hammer and set her hair on fire. At the time he was Chehaïma’s sweetheart, though she claims they were just friends.

Nice. Eurabia, Ararope whatever you want to call it, I think they're finished (except for New Europe).

[rovenstinez]

Next time they elect a Miss Brussels, they need to look below the SKIN and into the intellectual pursuits of their candidates.

[rottndog]

A pretty girl with no brains...

That could describe most attractive European women.

[Revolting cat!]

I prefer Ms Broccoli.

[dead]

Pretty ordinary for a “beauty queen” if you ask me. To be honest though, the whole field of candidates is a bit of a disappointment. The all seem more like “one of the hot girls in any bar on a Saturday night” than what I’d expect from “Miss Brussels”.

But this one is smoking hot. She’s my “Miss Brussels” hands-down.

[jdm]

I prefer Ms Broccoli.

Me too.

[Cheburashka]

A Marxist-Leninist, Anti-Semite, and a gangster moll.

I think she's already got her three strikes.

Too bad, she's kind of cute. Oh well, off to some Moroccan harem with her.

[2banana]

On the plus side - she did indirectly get an Albanian mobster knifed in the throat...

[Stultis]

she stood for the Marxist-Leninist Labour Party [...] her declaration that Israel must be wiped off the map [...] her connection with Bilal Ould Haj, a Belgian criminal of Moroccan origin

A leftist activist who is also an antisemite and connected with criminals?

Dog bites man. You realize this is a news forum, right?

[dighton]

One might easily Bond with her.

[Red Badger]

Pretty?....not in my book.........no brains? I'll agree to that!......

[353FMG]

"..with no brains..."

Father's fault.

[Accygirl]

That photo does her no favors... Makes her look kinda ordinary if you ask me. (P.S. Honey, I hate to tell you but you might want to apply powder to your forehead. And get a better hair stylist while you're at it). However, at the local level in the U.S., many times the pageant winner isn't the prettiest/ most poised girl but the most well connected girl. I'm sure it's the same in Belgium.

As a side note, if she's a Marxist, wouldn't she be against pageants as they exploit women, etc....