Abdul Sied: My blood is purely Egyptian... and I was raised on Adel Imam films
Abdul Sied wins a seat in the US Senate for Michigan, reaffirming his Egyptian origins.
Translated by Qiyas from الراي — Original source
American physician of Egyptian descent, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, captured attention after winning a U.S. Senate seat representing Michigan, defeating Republican Mike Rogers, and becoming the first Muslim elected to the upper chamber of Congress.
El-Sayed sparked widespread engagement on social media following the circulation of a video in which he proudly spoke about his Egyptian roots, affirming his strong connection to Egyptian culture despite his permanent residence in the United States.
When asked about his Egyptian identity on a scale of 1 to 10, he replied, “I am pure Egyptian blood,” and explained that he spent many summer vacations in Egypt, which allowed him to closely observe Egyptian society, culture, and customs.
He also expressed gratitude and pride in his Egyptian heritage, noting that his father’s family endured difficult living conditions, including severe poverty. He stated that his grandmother was illiterate, unable to read or write, while his grandfather worked in a vegetable market in Alexandria.
Abdul El-Sayed was born and raised in southeastern Michigan, where he attended public schools and distinguished himself during his high school years by leading his school’s football, wrestling, and lacrosse teams.
He was raised by his father, Mohamed, an Egyptian immigrant, and his stepmother, Jackie, whose family roots in Gratiot County, Michigan, date back to the 19th century.
Academically, El-Sayed graduated from the University of Michigan with high honors and participated in the university’s lacrosse team. He then earned his medical degree from Columbia University through a fellowship funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, before obtaining a second doctorate from the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar.
