Abdul El-Sayed’s Oxford years recalled as he moves into the U.S. Senate
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Classmates and teammates remember Abdul El-Sayed’s time at Oxford, his lacrosse leadership, and his personal habits, as attention turns to his recent election to the U.S. Senate and the ideas he may bring to Washington.
Abdul El-Sayed, who was elected as a U.S. senator, spent 2009–2010 at the University of Oxford as a Rhodes scholar. University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman praised his academic record and described him as an “engaged intellect” before his departure, presenting him as a serious student with strong credentials. Former teammate Elias Rothblatt, now a fintech professional, said El-Sayed was a driven lacrosse player and captain of Oxford’s team, noting his competitive spirit and sense of humour on the field.
Rothblatt recalled that El-Sayed was also sociable off the field, often seen with his wife and known for ordering a grilled ciabatta sandwich with coronation chicken at a local Oxford café. The café owner, Ricardo Chasebi, later added a version called “the Abdul” to the menu after El-Sayed’s frequent visits and a thank-you note in his doctoral thesis.
El-Sayed initially struggled with his coursework and returned to Michigan briefly, but he later described his Oxford classmates as influential in his education. In articles for the Guardian he praised aspects of the UK political system and noted the limited opportunities for Arab-American representation in U.S. elections.
Following his recent Senate victory, Rothblatt expressed optimism about El-Sayed’s future work in Washington, citing his past ambition and ideas. Supporters see that record as evidence of discipline and determination, and now his performance in the Senate will show how those traits translate into governing.