Ilhan Omar celebrates Abdul El-Sayed’s Senate win, says 8 Muslims will serve in Congress

WASHINGTON, DC: Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) cheered Abdul El-Sayed’s win in Michigan’s Senate race, saying his victory brings the number of Muslims in Congress to eight. After El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers in Tuesday’s midterms, Omar congratulated him with a personal message and a jab at critics who doubted politicians like them.

“Congratulations, Abdul El-Sayed,” Omar wrote. “You turned that inshallah into alhamdulillah.” She went on to say she felt “overwhelmed with gratitude” at the thought of eight Muslims now serving in Congress.

Ilhan Omar celebrates Abdul El-Sayed's victory and eight Muslim lawmakers

Omar shared her message after El-Sayed secured the Michigan Senate seat by defeating Republican Mike Rogers.

She used two Arabic expressions in her congratulatory post: Inshallah means “God willing” in Arabic, while alhamdulillah means “praise be to God.” Omar then took a swipe at those she said had doubted them, though she did not name anyone specifically.

“I am overwhelmed with gratitude knowing that we will now have 8 Muslims serving in Congress,” Omar added. “They told us we couldn’t speak up, couldn’t challenge the status quo, and couldn’t make it this far. But we did. Alhamdulillah.”

Omar spoke candidly about the difficulties Muslims face breaking into political life. She didn't point fingers, but she made it clear that people have repeatedly told them to stay quiet and not push against the established order.

Early Wednesday, the Associated Press declared a winner in Michigan’s Senate race at 2:27 a.m. ET. By late afternoon, with nearly all votes counted, El-Sayed led with 52.5 percent, while Rogers trailed at 45.5 percent.

This result means Democrats hang on to retiring Senator Gary Peters’ seat in Michigan, a state Donald Trump won in the 2024 presidential race.

Abdul El-Sayed defeated Haley Stevens in Democratic primary

El-Sayed clinched the Senate seat after beating Rep Haley Stevens in the August Democratic primary. His campaign got a boost from big names like Sen Bernie Sanders and Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

He pushed for government-run health insurance and didn’t hold back his criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza, calling them genocide. Winning the primary put him up against Rogers in the general election.

Omar congratulated El-Sayed, highlighting what his win means for Muslim representation in Congress. Democrats were celebrating across the board, picking up several tough Senate seats in the 2026 midterms.

Muslim lawmakers win seats in Congress

Seven Muslim lawmakers claimed seats in the 2026 midterm elections, boosting Muslim voices in both the House and the Senate.

TRT World reports El-Sayed broke new ground as the first Muslim elected to the Senate. In the House, Adam Hamawy and Darializa Avila Chevalier each achieved milestone victories. Meanwhile, four Muslim incumbents, including Omar, held onto their positions.

The Palestinian American Democrat Rashida Tlaib secured a fifth term representing the state's 12th Congressional District, defeating Republican James Hooper, and Ilhan Omar won a fifth term representing the state's 5th Congressional District, defeating Republican John Nagel and independent candidate DeVelle Jackson.

Omar, who arrived in the US at age 12, became the country's first Somali American federal lawmaker when she took office in 2019.

She has advocated humanitarian assistance and oversight of US arms transfers despite facing repeated political attacks over her background.