‘JD, Habibi’: El-Sayed’s Embraces Egyptian Heritage in Victory Speech, Sparks Joy Across Arab World/ NEWSLOOKS/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Abdul El-Sayed’s playful “JD, habibi” message to Vice President JD Vance sparked celebrations from Michigan to the Middle East. The first Muslim American elected to the Senate used Arabic expressions and humor to celebrate his victory after facing anti-Muslim campaign attacks. Supporters responded with music clips, Egyptian film memes and messages praising his embrace of his heritage.
Quick Look
- Viral moment: El-Sayed addressed Vance as “JD, habibi” during his victory speech.
- Meaning explained: “Habibi” literally means “my beloved,” but commonly conveys “buddy,” “pal” or “bro.”
- Historic victory: The Michigan Democrat will become the first Muslim American U.S. senator.
- Arabic expressions: He described his campaign’s journey from “inshallah,” meaning “God willing,” to “hamdulillah,” meaning “thank God.”
- Cultural celebration: Social media users shared Arab music and Egyptian comedy clips.
- Response to attacks: El-Sayed used humor to answer campaign rhetoric targeting his name, religion and background.
- Message to Trump: He told the president he could simply call him “senator.”
Deep Look
“JD, Habibi” Becomes a Celebratory Rallying Cry
BEIRUT — Two words from Abdul El-Sayed’s Senate victory speech — “JD, habibi” — have delighted Arab audiences, turning a teasing message to Vice President JD Vance into a moment of cultural pride.
From Michigan to the Middle East, supporters celebrated the senator-elect’s use of Arabic and his confident embrace of his Egyptian heritage after a campaign marked by anti-Muslim attacks.
“JD, habibi,” El-Sayed said, addressing Vance, who had warned 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.”
The remark quickly became a focal point for supporters celebrating the election of the first Muslim American to the U.S. Senate.
What Does “Habibi” Mean?
“Habibi” literally translates as “my beloved,” but its everyday meaning depends on the relationship and context.
Across Arabic-speaking communities, it can be used affectionately to mean “buddy,” “pal” or “bro.” It is also a familiar refrain in Arab popular music.
El-Sayed’s use combined warmth with gentle mockery of a political opponent. His supporters had already adopted the expression on shirts reading “Habibi for Abdul.”
The son of Egyptian immigrants also used religious expressions to describe his campaign’s successful conclusion.
He said it had turned “inshallah” — “God willing” — into “hamdulillah,” meaning “thank God.”
Arab Music and Egyptian Memes Fill Social Media
The speech prompted an outpouring of music clips, jokes and celebratory posts across social media.
One user on X shared a video of Egyptian singer Shireen Abd El-Wahab dancing to one of her popular songs, joking that El-Sayed would make it the new national anthem.
Others drew on Egyptian cinema, sharing a scene in which a man arrives at a funeral while high and cannot stop laughing.
“I came here to crack jokes,” read the caption, quoting the film.
The responses reflected a tradition of Egyptian humor that often meets difficult circumstances with comedy.
Egyptian academic Khalil al-Anani praised El-Sayed on X, writing: “‘Habibi’ is the sweetest word.”
He also thanked the senator-elect for bringing joy to Egyptians.
Humor Offers a Response to Campaign Hostility
The celebrations carried significance beyond the joke itself.
Arab and Muslim Americans have long faced prejudiceincluding entertainment portrayals associating them with terrorism and political rhetoric presenting Islamic religious practices as a threat.
During the campaign, President Donald Trump called El-Sayed a “jihadist,” invoked the Sept. 11 attacks and deliberately misstated his name.
El-Sayed responded by leaning into his faith and Egyptian identity while continuing to champion the Palestinian cause.
Social media supporters answered the hostility with lighthearted clips, including Lebanese singer Haifa Wehbe dancing and young women wearing veils breakdancing in the streets.
For audiences in a region affected by successive wars, the celebration offered a rare shared moment of joy.
El-Sayed Tells Trump to Call Him “Senator”
El-Sayed also directed a joke at Trump during his victory speech, turning the president’s treatment of his name into a reminder of the election result.
“Donald, look, I know you’ve struggled with my name,” he said.
“So after JD swears me in in January, you can just go on and call me ‘senator.’”
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