The Egyptian-American physician wins Michigan’s Senate seat and answers accusations of extremism with a defence of Palestinian rights

Abdulrahman Mohamed El-Sayed, as he introduced himself in his victory speech, or “Abdul” as Americans know him, has won a historic victory for Michigan’s seat in the U.S. Senate, becoming the first Muslim senator in the country’s history, according to the Associated Press race call.

“Alhamdulillah” after an “Inshallah” campaign

El-Sayed thanked Michigan’s voters and said that the “Inshallah” (God willing) he had repeated throughout the campaign had today become “Alhamdulillah” (praise be to God) with the victory.

“Not hate, but love and humanity”

He addressed the fierce attacks he faced during the race, including accusations of extremism and hate. Defending the right of Palestinian children to live on the land of their ancestors, and the right of the Palestinian people to peace, dignity and self-determination, he said, is not hate but an expression of love and humanity.

He reiterated his opposition to using American taxpayers’ money to fund killing, apartheid, genocide and wars, and pledged to deliver on his campaign promises, starting with health care.

A doctor and researcher before politics

El-Sayed was born in Michigan in 1984 to parents who emigrated from Egypt. A graduate of the University of Michigan, he earned a doctorate in public health at the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, followed by a medical degree from Columbia University.

He went on to serve as director of Detroit’s health department, where he oversaw the rebuilding of the city’s public health services and launched programmes aimed at children and low-income families.

From a 2018 defeat to the Senate

He first rose to statewide prominence in 2018, when he ran in the Democratic primary for governor of Michigan with the backing of the party’s progressive wing, led by Senator Bernie Sanders. Although he did not win the nomination, he came away with a broad grassroots base.

His campaign platform rested on three pillars: universal health care as a basic right and lower drug prices; economic and environmental justice through environmental protection, investment in green technology and support for working people; and a U.S. foreign policy reoriented towards justice, with a refusal to fund armed conflicts with American tax dollars.

He arrives in the Senate with a progressive agenda led by health care, reform of federal spending policy, and greater transparency and social justice in both domestic and foreign policy.