New Delhi: For the first time, a Muslim has won a US Congressional election. Abdul al-Sayed has won the Senate election. A doctor and progressive leader, Sayed surprised Donald Trump’s party with his victory in the Michigan seat. He defeated Republican Mike Rogers. The Democratic Party has regained control of the upper house of the US Congress.
Announcing his victory, Syed said, “You welcomed me into your homes, your churches, and your synagogues.” He attributed his victory to the movement he had built over a year and a half by campaigning in Michigan’s big cities and small towns. He said it was the voters who gave him strength when he was going through the most difficult times.
Relations with India
Abdul Syed also has ties to India. His wife, Dr. Sara, is a psychiatrist from Jukaku. Their family hails from Karnataka, about 140 km from Mangaluru. Sara is the granddaughter of Jukaku Shamshuddin, who served as Deputy Minister of Finance in Mysore State during the tenure of then Chief Minister B.D. Jatti.
How did Abdul and Sara meet?
Al-Sayed, a Rhodes Scholar, met Sara while studying at the University of Michigan. He spoke about his connection to Sara’s South Indian family and culture. In an interview, he said, “I’m married into a South Indian family and I’ve been for 20 years. Now I’m completely integrated into it. To be honest, I’m probably more Indian than I am Arab.”
Trump called him a jihadist
US President Donald Trump is among his biggest critics. His critics often targeted Abdul Sayed’s name and religion. Trump even accused him of being a jihadist and said he would have to pass through a metal detector to enter the Senate. Al-Sayed said his critics chose to divide society instead of addressing the rising prices of gas and groceries.
Mike Rogers is a former congressman who was backed by Donald Trump and ran as a close ally. He previously lost the 2024 Senate election to Elissa Slotkin by about 0.3 percentage points. This time, he faced Abdul El-Sayed. El-Sayed is the former Wayne County Health Director and surprised everyone by defeating Democratic Party favorite Haley Stevens in the primary earlier this year.
