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Abtisam Mohamed
Abtisam Mohamed (born May 1980[1]) is a British Labour Party politician who has been Member of Parliament (MP) for Sheffield Central since 2024.[2] She is the first Arab woman to be elected as a British MP,[3] as well as the first Yemeni person to occupy a British MP role.[4] Early lifeMohamed was born in Yemen. She was the second oldest of eight children. In 1982 she moved with her mother and sister to the UK to join her father and grandfather, who were working in the steel industry in Sheffield. Mohamed attended an understaffed school and secured only four GCSEs. She later qualified as teacher, studying Education at the University of Sheffield,[5] and then as lawyer.[6][3] She ran her own legal practice in human rights and immigration, which she closed down following her election in 2024 (in line with Labour party policy for its MPs).[7] Political careerLocal politicsMohamed started her political career as a grassroots activist engaged in community work in areas ranging from mental health to youth activities and social support for the elderly. She campaigned against the closure of public services. In 2016, Mohamed was elected councilor for the Firth Park ward on the Sheffield City Council.[8][6][9] Parliamentary careerIn 2022, Mohamed was selected to replace the MP Paul Blomfield, who was stepping down. She prevailed to secure the endorsement of the Labour party over other candidates including comedian Eddie Izzard.[8][10][11] She subsequently won the parliamentary elections for Sheffield Central in 2024, beating the Green Party and the Tory candidates. Mohamed called out private property management companies for hiking up fees for leaseholders, her action contributed to the debate on affordable housing in the country.[12] Mohamed continued to be invested in local politics of the home constituency after her election as MP. In 2024, she weighed in to reinstall park meters at Broomhill car park in Sheffield after a sudden change of policy by the private firm operating the meters left locals business customers with outsized parking bills.[13] The MP rates high the political priority that the climate crisis should take in decision making by the British legislator.[6] Foreign affairsDuring her electoral campaign, Mohamed called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and for a release of hostages on both sides.[14] In 2024, Mohamed was appointed member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Commons.[15] In her role, Mohamed repeatedly called out violence against Palestinian civilians in the Gaza war.[16] Mohamed was appointed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer to the UK delegation to the UK-EU Parliamentary Partnership Assembly.[17] References
External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Abtisam Mohamed. |
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