’JD, habibi.’ Arabs celebrate El-Sayed’s use of a term of affection in his victory speech

BEIRUT: From Michigan to the Middle East, Arabs are celebrating Abdul El‑Sayed’s Senate victory and are delighted by his introduction of Arabic terms such as “habibi” and “inshallah” into the American political lexicon.

Facing Islamophobic attacks throughout the campaign, the emerging political figure set to become the first Muslim American U.S. senator has defused opposition from the right, championed the Palestinian cause, and embraced his faith and Egyptian heritage.

“JD, habibi,” El‑Sayed said during his victory address, directly to U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who had warned that the candidate might incite riots in Detroit. He added, “There is a delicious irony that you are constitutionally sworn in on January.”

‘Habibi’ means “my beloved,” a term widely used in Arab pop music. In everyday conversation it commonly denotes a friend, buddy, or pal. El‑Sayed’s supporters even wear “Habibi for Abdul” t‑shirts as a tribute.

El‑Sayed, the son of Egyptian immigrants, noted that his campaign reimagined the phrase “inshallah” (God willing) as “hamdulillah,” meaning “thank God.”

Arabs responded enthusiastically to the vice president’s light‑hearted jab, sharing music‑video clips that feature the word “habibi” on social media. The outpouring of joy was rare in a region still haunted by past and present conflicts that have also fueled negative stereotypes abroad.

An X user shared a video of Egyptian pop icon Shireen Abd El‑Wahab, dancing to one of her hits, and joked that El‑Sayed might soon become the nation’s anthem.

Egyptians have long been celebrated for their sense of humor, a cultural trait that surfaces in films and the work of renowned comedians.

Riffing off the senator‑elect’s address, several users posted a meme from an Egyptian film showing a man at a funeral who, while intoxicated, cannot keep laughing. The caption reads, “I came here to crack jokes,” echoing the movie’s line.

Egyptian scholar Khalil Al‑Anani praised the candidate on X, declaring, “‘Habibi’ is the sweetest word,” and thanked him for the joy he brings to Egyptians.

Signs of change after decades of prejudice

Arab and Muslim Americans have endured decades of prejudice, with popular media casting them as terrorists and politicians on the right spreading unfounded fears about the imposition of sharia law.

During the campaign, President Donald Trump labeled El‑Sayed a “jihadist,” recalled the September 11 attacks, and misnamed the candidate.

On social media, supporters countered these attacks with light‑hearted clips, such as performances by Lebanese singer Haifa Wehbe, belly‑dancing, and young veiled women breakdancing through the streets.

In his victory address, El‑Sayed told Donald, “I know you’ve struggled with my name. So after JD swears me in in January, you can simply refer to me as ‘senator.’”

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