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

Abdul El-Sayed’s Senate victory speech has prompted celebration among Arabs in the United States and the Middle East, especially after he addressed Vice President JD Vance as “habibi”. The moment combined humour with a response to Islamophobic attacks during the campaign and brought Arabic expressions into the American political spotlight.

“Habibi” can mean “my beloved” but is commonly used as “buddy” or “pal”; El-Sayed also referred to “inshallah”, meaning “God willing”, and “hamdulillah”, meaning “thank God”. The son of Egyptian immigrants and set to become the first Muslim American U.S. senator, he had been called a “jihadist” by President Donald Trump and targeted with other anti-Muslim rhetoric. Supporters and social media users responded with songs, memes and jokes celebrating his win.