Key facts
- El-Sayed, per the Associated Press, will be the first Muslim American US senator.
- In his victory speech El-Sayed addressed Vice President JD Vance as "J.D., habibi".
- El-Sayed said Vance is constitutionally obligated to swear him in in January.
- Supporters have worn shirts reading "Habibi for Abdul", the Associated Press reported.
- The Associated Press reported El-Sayed was the target of Islamophobic rhetoric during the campaign.
Abdul El-Sayed's Senate victory, declared in the early hours of November 4, 2026, has drawn celebration from Arabs in Michigan and across the Middle East, the Associated Press reported. The outlet said El-Sayed will be the first Muslim American US senator.
The Associated Press reported that El-Sayed, targeted by Islamophobic rhetoric during the campaign, has mocked critics on the right while championing the Palestinian cause and leaning into his faith and Egyptian heritage. In his victory speech he addressed Vice President JD Vance, who had warned the candidate would lead rioters in burning down Detroit, as "J.D., habibi." He added: "There is this delicious irony in the fact that you're constitutionally obligated to swear me in in January."
The Associated Press reported that "habibi" literally translates to "my beloved" and appears throughout Arab pop songs, and that in everyday speech it often means "buddy," "pal" or "bro." The outlet reported supporters have worn shirts reading "Habibi for Abdul."