Michigan’s newly elected senator, Abdul El-Sayed, has set up a political action committee (PAC) called ‘Habibi’, an Arabic word meaning ‘my beloved’, according to documents from the Federal Election Commission reported in The Hill.
This could mean that El-Sayed is in the process of forming a faction within the Democratic Party that will influence the party’s future direction, comments the newspaper, which closely follows politics in Washington D.C.
El-Sayed has used the word Habibi, an Arabic term of endearment meaning “my beloved” but often used more casually, to address his opponents in the wake of Tuesday’s win.
“JD, habibi,” El-Sayed said in his victory speech, addressing Vice President Vance who has harshly criticized the Michigander. “There is this delicious irony in the fact that you’re constitutionally obligated to swear me in in January.”
Arabic terminology and culture were present throughout the El-Sayed campaign as he pushed to become the first Muslim U.S. senator. Supporters often wore “Habibi for Abdul” shirts on the campaign trail.
El-Sayed ran as an unapologetic Muslim with strong views against sending military aid to Israel. Facing incessant attacks over his religion, El-Sayed aired an ad emphasizing his faith and his mission “to serve God and to serve our neighbors.”
