From Sharia to Shawarma: Senate Candidate Abdul El-Sayed Blends Culinary Culture with Campaign Politics

In the final, high-stakes weeks of his U.S. Senate campaign, Michigan candidate Abdul El-Sayed is finding that the best way to connect with voters isn’t always through a podium or a policy white paper. Instead, he is turning to the kitchen. In a recent digital outreach effort that has garnered significant attention, the Egyptian American politician swapped his suit for a Detroit Lions apron, joining Lebanese American food creator Summer Homayed to prepare a classic beef shawarma—a dish that serves as a cornerstone of the vibrant Arab food scene in metro Detroit.

The cooking video, published on TikTok this past April, served as a platform for more than just a culinary demonstration. As the pair prepared the meal—grilling marinated flank steak, draining potatoes, and blending fresh garlic and herbs—Homayed steered the conversation toward the intense political climate of the Michigan race. The informal setting allowed El-Sayed to address criticisms leveled by his opponent, former congressman Mike Rogers, who has frequently questioned El-Sayed’s background and alleged ties to extremist groups. When Homayed posed the question directly to the candidate, asking how he responds to concerns about "Sharia law," El-Sayed pivoted with a deft, lighthearted response that has since become a viral talking point.

"Look, I was born and raised in America. I believe deeply in the U.S. Constitution," El-Sayed replied, while attending to the grill. "So Sharia law? No, I’m here for Shawarma law."

The quip, while humorous, underscored a broader campaign strategy: utilizing food as a universal language to communicate shared values and heritage. Throughout his run, El-Sayed has campaigned on "bread-and-butter" issues, focusing on the removal of corporate influence from politics, the necessity of Medicare for All, and economic relief for families. His campaign has faced persistent scrutiny regarding his Muslim faith, with his opponent attempting to cast suspicion on his identity. However, independent fact-checkers have repeatedly challenged these claims, and El-Sayed has remained steadfast in focusing his messaging on the economic anxieties facing Michiganders.

The November 3 election carries historic weight, as El-Sayed stands to become the first Muslim senator in United States history. His personal history is deeply woven into the fabric of Michigan’s diverse landscape. Born to Egyptian immigrants, he was raised in the Detroit suburbs by his father and his white stepmother, a Michigan native. This background provided him with a unique culinary upbringing, oscillating between his father’s traditional Egyptian fava bean breakfast—ful medames—and his stepmother’s quintessentially American meatloaf dinners.

In a recent conversation regarding the state’s evolving culinary identity, El-Sayed reflected on how the region’s food scene has shifted over the course of his life. He noted that the dense ecosystem of halal burger shops and diverse fusion restaurants that define modern metro Detroit did not exist during his childhood. Today, he views this evolution as a testament to the power of community and cultural integration. For El-Sayed, food is not merely sustenance; it is a tool for political and social communication. By sharing meals and recipes, he argues, people are inherently sharing their histories and traditions, which serves as a vital way to gather communities and discuss their collective future.

When asked where he would choose to meet for a meal if he were sitting down for a long-form interview, El-Sayed highlighted a selection of spots that reflect his personal tastes and his deep connection to the local economy. His list included Ricewood, a barbecue joint known for its rotating burger specials; the Dearborn Meat Market, a local butcher shop with a legendary kebab grill in the back; and Sicily’s Pizza in Detroit, which he credits for mastering the art of the Detroit-style crust without the typical heaviness. Finally, he expressed a particular fondness for the simple, nostalgic joy of eating Midwestern-style ice cream on a summer day with his children.

However, the discussion quickly turned to the pressing issue of food affordability, a topic that has become a central pillar of his platform. As grocery prices continue to weigh on the budgets of average families, El-Sayed argues that the current economic landscape is dictated by systemic failures. He points to the war in Iran as a major factor in the current surge of diesel fuel costs, which directly impacts the price of every item transported by truck to a grocery shelf. Furthermore, he identifies a lack of competition in the agricultural sector as a primary driver of inflation.

El-Sayed contends that the concentration of power in the hands of a few corporate entities is stifling the market. He cites data suggesting that approximately 85 percent of the U.S. meat supply is controlled by just four major meatpackers, a monopoly that allows these companies to simultaneously suppress the prices paid to farmers and inflate the prices paid by consumers at the checkout counter. His proposed solutions involve challenging these monopolies, investing in local agriculture, and empowering farmers through initiatives like "right to repair" legislation for their equipment. He also advocates for programs that would facilitate direct sales from local farmers to school districts, thereby shortening supply chains and keeping revenue within the community.

The candidate’s focus on the safety net is equally critical, especially as the gig economy expands and more Americans move into freelance or contract work. The current system, he argues, is outdated and unnecessarily punitive, creating significant hurdles for those attempting to access benefits like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) or Medicaid. When asked about the difficulties freelance workers face in documenting income to meet strict work requirements, El-Sayed expressed frustration with the bureaucracy.

"It’s a crazy thing that we’ve put so much time and effort into telling people what they can’t have, rather than just creating good universal programs for everybody," he said.

He argues that the bureaucratic waste inherent in current programs—often designed specifically to exclude applicants—is a policy failure that stands in the way of true economic security. He advocates for a more robust safety net that includes universal access to childcare, education, and healthcare. By shifting the focus away from restrictive work requirements and toward universal support, he believes the country can better serve its citizens. In his view, the existing barriers to these programs serve only to prioritize tax cuts for the wealthy and sustain unnecessary military interventions, rather than addressing the fundamental needs of families who are struggling to put food on the table.

As the campaign nears its conclusion, El-Sayed continues to leverage these personal and policy-driven narratives to reach voters. By grounding his platform in the tangible realities of grocery costs, cultural heritage, and the shared experience of dining, he is attempting to reshape the conversation about what it means to represent the diverse people of Michigan. Whether at a campaign rally or behind a grill, his message remains consistent: politics, much like a good meal, should be about bringing people together to build something sustainable for the future.