Image source: Salwan Georges/Getty Images
Image source: Getty Images
The victory of Abdul Al-Sayed, who was elected senator of the Democratic Party in America's midterm elections, has been heard throughout the Arab world.
Pan-Arab and regional media outlets have prominently discussed the symbolic and political significance of his victory.
Many commentators have seen the success of this Michigan politician as a sign of the growing influence of Arab and Muslim Americans in American politics.
This victory has come at a time when the debate regarding Gaza, America's Middle East policy and representation of minorities is very sharp.
However, sharp differences of opinion were also seen on this issue on social media.
Supporters have praised al-Sayed for overcoming political and cultural barriers to victory.
On the other hand, critics have raised questions about his political affiliations and his past stance on the Middle East.
Who is Abdul Al-Sayed?
Abdul Al-Sayed is a doctor, public health expert and progressive politician. His parents came from Egypt and settled in America.
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In 2018, he gained national recognition during the election campaign for the post of Governor of Michigan.
He has studied from Michigan and Oxford University. He is the executive director of the Detroit Health Department.
El-Sayed once said that if he had not had the educational opportunities in America, he might have been driving a taxi in Egypt.
His opponents often cite this statement and say that his view is critical of Egypt's political and socio-economic system.
In a program on MS Now on November 5, al-Sayed supported ending US foreign aid to Egypt and Israel and stopping arms sales to Israel.
He said that American taxpayers' money should not be used for military actions in Gaza and the West Bank.
In an interview with the ABC network, al-Sayed called the decision to engage in war with Iran a "stupid idea" and called US President Trump an "idiot."
However, his opponents have also kept an eye on his statements.
They have raised questions about his background and alleged links with the banned Muslim Brotherhood.
What do the critics say?
Image source, SKY NEWS ARABIA
YouTuber Loai al-Khatib, a supporter of the Egyptian government, said that Abdul has clearly adopted the ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood.
According to him, Abdul's victory speech also shows how much he loves his country America and will give priority to America's interests.
Social media user @suzymerit compared the widespread celebration of Abdul El-Sayed's election victory to the relatively less attention received by the victories of two other Egyptian-American candidates, Adam Hisham Hamawi and George Samir Helmy.
He claimed that Abdul al-Sayyid's victory was being over-hyped by a "powerful propaganda campaign" linked to the Muslim Brotherhood.
UAE-based Sky News Arabia said al-Sayed used the US democratic system to gain influence in Western countries, while allegedly working in line with the agenda of the Muslim Brotherhood and its regional allies.
Meanwhile, some social media users also criticized Al-Sayed for his support of LGBTQ+ rights.
@Nath_limited_ed, a Lebanese user, said Abdul supports transgender rights and gender transition, abortion, feminist ideas and artificial insemination.
He criticized his supporters and alleged that they are ignoring these issues just to oppose Trump.
Egyptian TV host and staunch government supporter Ahmed Moussa launched a scathing attack on al-Sayed, calling him a "hater of Egypt and its military."
He said, "Abdul is a supporter of deformed and transgender people... He is a supporter of everything that is considered haram in Islam and a supporter of the spy Mohammed Morsi and his traitorous gang."
What are supporters saying?
Abdul El-Sayed's supporters generally hailed her victory as an achievement for political representation of the Arab American and Muslim American communities.
Egyptian opposition commentator Sami Kamaluddin praised al-Sayed's statements in which he expressed hope that Egypt could be "saved from military rule".
He also described America's economic aid to Egypt as support for an authoritarian system rather than the Egyptian people.
Some commentators also made broad comparisons of the political systems of America and Egypt in the name of al-Sayed's victory.
Author Ammar Ali Hassan said that Trump and pro-Israel lobbying groups worked together to defeat Abdul al-Sayed.
But according to him, "a careful constitution, functioning institutions, the will of the voters and a free and fair election process" ultimately helped him defeat his opponent.
Meanwhile, Qatari broadcaster Al-Jazeera welcomed al-Sayed's victory, reporting that he had said, "I was not a member of the Muslim Brotherhood."
What do the supporters expect from his victory?
Image source, @AbdulElSayed/
Supporters say Al-Sayed's success is proof that communities often "marginalized" in American politics can now more effectively influence policies and public debate.
Some Arab media outlets and commentators have also speculated about his possible future in national politics.
These also include the question whether he can contest elections for the post of President of America in future.
However, the main basis of this discussion is the symbolic importance of his political rise rather than the actual possibility of him contesting the presidency in the near future.
Many also linked al-Sayyid's victory to "the global impact of the Al-Aqsa flood operation".
This term has been used in the context of the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
These people believe that Al-Sayed, who criticizes Israeli policies, can play a role in changing America's stance regarding the Palestine-Israel conflict.
Meanwhile, some commentators hope that the political shift reflected in his election could ultimately weaken US and West support for the region's authoritarian governments.
Mohammed Nasser, host of Mekamelin TV, who is known to be a supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood, predicted, "The coming days look difficult for the dictatorial governments of the Middle East."
He specifically mentioned the government of Egyptian President Abdul Fatah al-Sisi.
How does the Israeli media view Abdul al-Sayed?
Image source, ISRAEL HAYOUM
Israeli media have given Abdul al-Sayed extensive coverage before and after the US midterm elections.
Many media organizations highlighted his Muslim background and his stance, which many organizations described as anti-Israel.
The coverage also reflects a broader stance by right-wing Israeli media that opposes the involvement of Arab parties or leaders in the US government and presents it as a threat to Israel's security and Jewish identity.
The right-wing Channel 14 described Abdul al-Sayed as "anti-Semitic" and highlighted his alleged ties to what the channel linked to an extremist coalition of radical leftist, communist and Islamic activists.
The channel also mentioned his links with anti-Israel movements and said that some of his supporters are already appealing to him to contest for the US presidency.
In a headline, the right-wing newspaper Israel Hayom described Abdul al-Sayed as "an anti-Israel symbol in the Senate."
Citing his victory speech, the report said he had said, "Our money will no longer be used for genocide or apartheid."
The report also cited a survey by the Forward, according to which 60 percent of Jewish early voters in Michigan voted for him.
In a separate article, Israel Hayom warned of "the growing political dominance of Muslims" in America.
The newspaper described Muslim candidates as "trying to take over" the world and showed an anti-Israel stance.
The newspaper also compared it to the political participation of Muslims in Israel.
Referring to Palestinian-dominated political parties, he said that their role in Israeli politics could pose an even greater threat.
Published by Collective Newsroom for the BBC.
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