‘JD, habibi:’ Arabs celebrate El-Sayed’s use of a term of affection to mock his foes
BEIRUT (AP) — From Michigan to the Middle East, Arabs are celebrating Abdul El-Sayed’s Senate win and delighting in his introduction of Arabic terms like “habibi” and “inshallah” to the American political lexicon.
Arabs in the Middle East and beyond are celebrating Abdul El-Sayed's recent victory in the Senate run and reveling in his introduction of Arabic terms like "habibi" and "inshallah" to the American political vocabulary. El-Sayed, who will become the first Muslim American senator, faced Islamophobic rhetoric during his campaign but responded with humor and a celebration of his Palestinian roots and Egyptian heritage.
In his victory speech, he playfully addressed U.S. Vice President JD Vance, telling him "JD, habibi" – a term of affection that literally means "my beloved" in Arabic. "Habibi" is often used as a casual term of endearment in Arab culture, akin to "buddy," "pal," or "bro." El-Sayed's supporters proudly wore shirts reading "Habibi for Abdul" and shared videos of popular songs featuring the word.
This cheerful response to the vice president is a rare display of joy in a region still grappling with conflicts and negative stereotypes in the West. On social media platforms, Egyptians, known for their humor in the face of adversity, posted videos of popular performances and memes referencing El-Sayed's victory. One user even suggested that El-Sayed's election could make "habibi" the new national anthem.
The candidate's light-hearted approach to addressing his critics has brought a newfound sense of joy to Arabs, a people who have long been plagued by prejudice and misinformation.
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