‘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.

Key points

• Senate race, Abdul El-Sayed applied an Arabic term to address Vice President JD Vance during his election night victory speech.
• After being the target of Islamophobic rhetoric on the campaign trail, the rising political star who will be the first Muslim American U.S.
• "Habibi" literally translates to "my beloved" and is peppered through Arab pop songs.
• "JD, habibi, " El-Sayed remarked in his victory speech, addressing U.S.

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 remarked in his victory speech, addressing U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who had cautioned 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."

After winning Michigan's U.S. Senate race, Abdul El-Sayed applied an Arabic term to address Vice President JD Vance during his election night victory speech. But what does "habibi" actually mean? 'Habibi' is a term of affection.

"Habibi" literally translates to "my beloved" and is peppered through Arab pop songs. In everyday speech, it often means "buddy, " "pal, " or "bro." El-Sayed's supporters have sported shirts reading "Habibi for Abdul."

Taken together, the developments around JD, habibi. Arabs celebrate El-Sayeds use of a term of affection in point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.