Rima Fakih of Dearborn, Mich., was crowned Miss USA Sunday in Las Vegas, becoming perhaps the first Arab American and Muslim to win the title.

The Detroit Free Press described scenes of jubilation as Dearborn’s large Arab population celebrated Fakih’s victory.

"This is unbelievable," Rami Haddad, 26, was quoted as saying. "It's a dream come true. I can't express my feelings."

Fakih, of Lebanese descent, went into the pageant as Miss Michigan. She won the pageant at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip after swimsuit, evening gown and interview competitions.

"This is the real face of Arab Americans, not the stereotypes you hear about," said Zouheir Alawieh, 51, of Dearborn. "We have culture. We have beauty. We have history, and today we made history. ... She believed in her dreams."

See pageant photos at CharlotteObserver.com.

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