Arabs celebrate El-Sayed's win as 'habibi' enters US lexicon
Associated Press · 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 his victory speech, he referred to Vice President JD Vance as “habibi.” The word literally translates to “my beloved,” but in everyday speech often means “buddy,” “pal” or “bro.” El-Sayed is a rising Democratic political star who won a closely watched race in the key swing state of Michigan. He has clapped back at attacks from the right rooted in decades of negative stereotypes about Arabs and Muslims. In the Middle East, his victory brought a rare outpouring of joy amid ongoing conflicts.
‘JD, habibi.’ Arabs celebrate El-Sayed’s use of a term of affection in his victory speech
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.
Read the full story at Associated Press · All coverage of this story