In a nod to his Arab heritage, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed jokingly used an Arabic term of endearment in reference to Vice President JD Vance while speaking to supporters on election night.
In an election night speech, El-Sayed celebrated the "delicious irony" of Vice President JD Vance being the person who will swear in the newly elected senator when the next Congress takes office in January 2027, calling Vance "habibi," an Arabic word meaning my love or my sweetheart.
El-Sayed, who is Arab American, used the Arabic term while making remarks to Democratic supporters in Detroit ahead of his election win for Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat.
The former Wayne County and Detroit health director of Egyptian descent will become the first Muslim U.S. senator
after defeating Republican and former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers in the Nov. 3 election. In a contentious campaign, El-Sayed was unfairly described as a "jihadist" and terrorist sympathizer, and withstood an unprecedented level of attack ads against him.
Here's what to know about El-Sayed's use of the Arabic term.
When did El-Sayed call Vance 'habibi'?
Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, in election night remarks in Detroit ahead of his victory in Michigan's U.S. Senate race, called Vice President JD Vance "habibi," while referencing the fact Vance will have to swear in El-Sayed as a U.S. senator in January 2027.
"JD, habibi, there is this delicious irony in the fact that you're constitutionally obligated to swear me in in January," El-Sayed said, then laughed while the audience broke out in cheers, according to video posted to El-Sayed's social media profiles.
Did El-Sayed win Michigan's U.S. Senate election?
Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, the former Wayne County and Detroit health director, won the election for Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat Nov. 4, defeating Republican former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers. The son of Egyptian immigrants will become the nation's first Muslim U.S. senator in a historic election.
What does habibi mean in English?
"Habibi" is the masculine form of an Arabic term translating to my love or my sweetheart in English, typically used among romantic partners, family or friends.
Detroit Free Press contributed.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: El-Sayed calls Vance habibi in victory speech. What does it mean?
