A Muslim won a U.S. Senate election for the first time

Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed won the U.S. Senate election in Michigan, becoming the first Muslim elected to the upper chamber of the American Congress.

According to American media reports, El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers, a former congressman who was endorsed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

El-Sayed was born in the United States to a family of Egyptian immigrants. He previously held a leadership position in Detroit's public health system.

During his election campaign, the Democrat advocated for expanding access to healthcare, economic reforms, and ending unconditional American military aid to Israel.

As Reuters notes, already at the primary election stage, El-Sayed managed to defeat moderate Democratic wing representative Haley Stevens, who was backed by the party leadership and pro-Israel political groups.

His candidacy took on particular significance in Michigan, home to one of the largest Arab-American communities in the United States.

The election campaign was accompanied by a fierce confrontation with Donald Trump. The American president repeatedly made sharp statements directed at El-Sayed, questioning his loyalty to the United States.

As the Associated Press reported, Trump's remarks drew criticism from representatives of the Arab-American community, including former supporters of the president.

El-Sayed himself rejected accusations of ties to extremist organizations and emphasized his right to practice Islam, guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.

His victory became a historic event for the Muslim community of the United States.