“There are 80 million Egyptians, and you chose to marry an Indian woman?”
That was the question an Egyptian uncle once asked Abdul El-Sayed when he learnt about his marriage to Dr Sarah Jukaku, an Indian-origin woman. El-Sayed’s response was just as unexpected: there were more than a billion Indians, so his choice was statistically quite likely.
The witty reply, which he shared while talking about his family on a podcast, is now going viral on social media. And with El-Sayed recently making history as the first Muslim elected to the US Senate, the old family story has brought fresh attention to his connection with India, particularly Karnataka’s coastal town of Bhatkal.
An Egyptian-American Politician With A Karnataka Connection
El-Sayed is the son of Egyptian immigrants, while his wife, Sarah, was born in Michigan into a family of Indian origin. Her family’s roots go back to Bhatkal in Karnataka, a coastal town around 140 km from Mangaluru.
Sarah is a practising psychiatrist. She met El-Sayed when both were studying at the University of Michigan and were associated with the Muslim Students’ Association. The two married in May 2006 and have two daughters, Emmalee and Serene.
So, when El-Sayed talks about his Indian connection, it is not just a passing reference. He has been part of a South Indian family for nearly two decades.
Sarah’s connection to India also comes with a notable family history.
Her grandfather, Jukaku Shamsuddin, was a lawyer and public figure who served as deputy minister for finance in the erstwhile Mysore State under Chief Minister B. D. Jatti. He is also remembered as one of the first lawyers from the Bhatkal region and for his contribution to the town’s development, including efforts to bring electricity there.
Sarah’s father, Dr Tayeb Jukaku, is a nephrologist. He completed his medical education in Bengaluru before moving to the United States. He was also associated with the Islamic Society of North America and served on its founders’ committee.
Sarah has also offered glimpses of the couple’s sense of humour during the election campaign.
At one campaign rally, she jokingly told the audience that nobody could tell her husband what to do, except her. The remark drew laughter from the crowd.
The couple’s story has now become part of the attention surrounding El-Sayed’s political success, with his wife’s Indian heritage adding another dimension to his public life.
While the family anecdote has caught the internet’s attention, El-Sayed’s political journey has also been a remarkable one.
Eight years ago, he suffered a major defeat in Michigan’s Democratic gubernatorial primary. This time, he made a comeback by defeating an establishment-backed candidate in the primary despite being outspent by tens of millions of dollars.
He went on to win Michigan’s Senate race, becoming the first Muslim elected to the US Senate. Reflecting on his campaign, El-Sayed said it showed that traditional, grassroots politics can still succeed when candidates are willing to put in the hard work.
His election has made history in American politics. But for many Indians watching his story, it is his easy humour about marrying into an Indian family, and his connection to Bhatkal, that has offered a rather unexpected reason to celebrate.
Also Read: Abdul El-Sayed Is the US’s First Muslim Senator. His In-Laws in India Are Delighted.
