Hijab-Clad Muslima Wins Beauty Pageant in Wayne County, Michigan – and Now She Wants to Be Miss America (

Wayne County, Michigan — A 25-year-old law school graduate has made history by becoming the first woman to win the Miss Wayne County title while wearing a hijab. Ameera Hashwi, of Dearborn Heights, was crowned Miss Wayne County 2025 on Sunday.

Hashwi, who proudly wore her hijab throughout the competition, is now aiming to compete for the Miss Michigan and potentially the Miss America titles. “Hello, my name is Ameera and my service initiative is to step up and serve, and I am your new Miss Wayne County!” she said during her crowning moment, met with cheers from the audience.

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Dearborn Heights, where Hashwi resides, is a Detroit suburb with a significant Arab and Middle Eastern population. Her win represents a notable moment of representation and inclusion within the pageant circuit.

As part of the Miss America organization’s structure, contestants choose a personal social impact initiative to promote throughout their reign. Hashwi’s initiative, titled “Step Up and Serve,” focuses on encouraging civic engagement and community service.

Her victory marks a milestone in the Miss America program’s history, reflecting its evolving standards of inclusivity and representation.

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