Abdul El-Sayed to Serve as First Muslim U.S. Senator

Abdul El-Sayed, the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate, will take office in January after defeating Republican Mike Rogers by about seven points, 52.5% to 45.5%.

El-Sayed, the son of Egyptian immigrants, faced intense scrutiny during the campaign, including false claims that he was a jihadist and a member of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Despite Republican attacks on his faith and objections from some Jewish leaders, El-Sayed won majorities among Black voters and Jewish early voters.

El-Sayed’s victory is seen as a significant moment for Arab and Muslim Americans, with leaders calling it a victory for inclusive democracy.

Republican candidates, including Donald Trump, used Islamophobic rhetoric to attack El-Sayed, linking him to Sharia law and extremist views.

El-Sayed dismissed the attacks, quipping that he supported 'shawarma law' instead of the claims made about him.

While some Jewish leaders expressed concerns about El-Sayed’s rhetoric, exit polls showed a majority of Michigan Jews voted for him, though his margins in heavily Jewish communities were lower than other Democrats.

El-Sayed’s position on Israel remains unchanged, and he welcomed Trump’s recent call to cut U.S. military aid to Israel, which Trump claimed was influenced by El-Sayed’s stance.

El-Sayed has not softened his criticism of Republican figures like JD Vance, calling them 'odious' in their behavior, but he said he would work with them to serve Michigan’s interests.