'JD, habibi.' Arabs celebrate El-Sayed's use of a term of affection in his victory speech
Houston Chronicle · SARAH EL DEEB ·
Arabs around the world are celebrating Michigan Democrat Abdul El-Sayed's win of a U.S. Senate seat and delighting in his introduction of Arabic words and phrases to the American political lexicon. In...
BEIRUT (AP) — From Michigan to the Middle East, Arabs are celebrating Abdul El-Sayed’s election win and delighting in his introduction of Arabic terms like “habibi” and “inshallah” to the American political lexicon.
After being the target of Islamophobic rhetoric on the campaign trail, the rising political star who will be the first Muslim American U.S. senator has mocked his critics on the right while championing the Palestinian cause and leaning into his faith and Egyptian heritage.
“JD, habibi,” El-Sayed said in his victory speech, addressing U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who had warned that the candidate would lead rioters in burning down Detroit. “There is this delicious irony in the fact that you’re constitutionally obligated to swear me in in January.”
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