El-Sayed claimed Michigan Senate seat, swaps 'inshallah' for 'alhamdulillah' in speech

Detroit Mayor Abdul El-Sayed projected to win the United States Senate race in Michigan on Wednesday, November 4, according to leading pollsters. The outcome places him in the position vacated by retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters, securing the seat for the Democratic party. The victory ends a closely watched contest against Republican candidate Mike Rogers.

In his acceptance address, El-Sayed shifted language he had used during the campaign. He told supporters that he had previously qualified his chances with the phrase “inshallah,” which he defined as “God willing.” On the night of the projection, he replaced that term with “alhamdulillah,” explaining to the crowd that it means “praise be to God.”

The candidate directed the comment toward right-wing operatives, using the phrase to mark his success against them. He also addressed a specific grievance regarding President Donald Trump. El-Sayed noted that Trump had previously struggled with his name, referring to him as “Mohammed.” Speaking directly to the president, El-Sayed suggested that after his swearing-in ceremony in January, he could simply be called “Senator.”

The speech revisited a central controversy of the campaign: El-Sayed’s stance on Israel. He accused Israel of committing genocide during its war against Hamas in Gaza. Israel rejects that allegation, and Rogers disputes it as well. The position drew significant attention from both supporters and critics throughout the election cycle.

El-Sayed reiterated his criticism of American foreign policy in the speech. He stated, “we don't want our money sent to do apartheid, or genocide, or war.” These remarks aligned with comments he made in an interview with CBS’s 60 Minutes on Monday. In that broadcast, he argued that United States military assistance helps prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state, despite stated support for a two-state solution.

The Monday interview aired just before the Wednesday projection. In it, El-Sayed pointed to aid provided to parties working against the formation of a Palestinian state. His comments in the victory speech expanded on that argument by linking domestic funding directly to the actions he condemned abroad. The projected result stands as a key shift in the balance of power in the upper chamber.