Abdul El-Sayed to speak at Arab America summit after election

The Arab America Foundation says Michigan U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed will join its CONNECT Arab America Empowerment Summit in Virginia on Nov. 6-7, days after the national election. The appearance is meant to spotlight Arab American leadership, public service and civic engagement at a high-profile community gathering.

Why it matters: - Abdul El-Sayed’s appearance adds a national political voice to a summit focused on Arab American leadership and empowerment. - The event comes days after the Nov. 3 election, giving the program added relevance for Arab Americans watching their civic influence grow. - The summit is designed to connect identity, public service and community leadership with younger Arab Americans and future leaders.

What happened: - The Arab America Foundation announced that Dr. Abdul El-Sayed will be a featured guest speaker at the CONNECT Arab America: Empowerment Summit on Nov. 6-7, 2026. - El-Sayed is the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate from Michigan. - The summit will take place at the Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles in Chantilly, Virginia. - El-Sayed is scheduled to speak just days after the national election on Nov. 3. - Participants are encouraged to register for the full two-day summit.

The details: - El-Sayed is an Egyptian American physician, epidemiologist, Rhodes Scholar, author and public servant. - He previously served as executive director of the Detroit Health Department. - El-Sayed later led Wayne County’s Department of Health, Human and Veterans Services. - The Arab America Foundation said the summit will feature distinguished speakers, networking, cultural celebrations and conversations on Arab American achievement. - The summit will include sessions on civic leadership, identity, education, women in leadership, media representation and the next generation. - The Arab America Foundation said the gathering will bring together Arab Americans from across the United States for three days of programming. - El-Sayed was previously recognized in Arab America’s “Pathbreakers of Arab America” series. - Warren David, co-founder of the Arab America Foundation and president of Arab America, said El-Sayed represents the community’s potential to lead, serve and make a difference. - David also said Arab American identity is a source of strength, pride and possibility.

Between the lines: - The invitation signals an effort to frame Arab American civic participation as both cultural and political, not just celebratory. - The timing after the election suggests the summit is aiming to channel post-election attention into community organizing and leadership development. - El-Sayed’s blend of health policy and electoral politics fits the summit’s emphasis on public service and cross-sector leadership.

What's next: - The summit is set for Nov. 6-7, 2026, at the Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles. - The Arab America Foundation is offering a $50 registration discount that brings the full three-day summit price to $299 from $349. - To receive the discount, attendees are instructed to select General Registration, enter the coupon code $50DISCOUNTCODE and complete registration. - The foundation also directed attendees to register, sponsor or review the program schedule through the summit materials. - The Arab America Foundation said Arab Americans and community friends from across the country are invited to attend. - The organization describes itself as a nonprofit educational and cultural organization focused on promoting Arab heritage and connecting Arab Americans across the United States. - More information is available on the Arab America Foundation website.