El-Sayed Calls State Arab Capital
The newly elected Michigan senator contrasted his home state with Washington, D.C., during a speech in Virginia.
By Noor Phillips ·
Abdul El-Sayed has entered the U.S. Senate as the first Muslim to hold the position, a distinction that accompanied his recent victory in Michigan.
The new senator addressed the CONNECT Arab America Empowerment Summit in Chantilly, Virginia, on Monday. He introduced himself as Abdulrahman Mohamed El-Sayed and identified his new role before the crowd.
El-Sayed drew a sharp contrast between the federal capital and his home state. He stated that while Washington holds the title of the capital of the United States, Michigan serves as the capital of Arab America.
The claim aligns with demographic data regarding the state's population. Dearborn and the greater Detroit area contain one of the largest concentrations of Arab Americans in the nation.
El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers to claim the seat vacated by retiring Senator Gary Peters. The Associated Press projected his win early Wednesday, cementing his place in history. His background as a former Detroit health director and physician informed his campaign.
The senator's political stance has also drawn attention for his positions on foreign policy. El-Sayed has criticized Israel’s military operations in Gaza and opposed U.S. military assistance to the country. His parents immigrated to the United States from Egypt.
