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Abtisam Mohamed

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Abtisam Mohamed
MP
Official portrait, 2024
Member of Parliament
for Sheffield Central
Incumbent
Assumed office
4 July 2024
Preceded byPaul Blomfield
Majority8,286 (26.1%)
Member of Sheffield City Council
for Firth Park
In office
5 May 2016 – 2 May 2024
Personal details
BornMay 1980 (age 44)
Yemen
Political partyLabour
WebsiteOfficial website

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 life

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Mohamed 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 career

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Local politics

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Mohamed 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 career

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In 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 affairs

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During 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

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  1. ^ "Abtisam Mohamed". Companies House. UK Government. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  2. ^ "Sheffield Central | General Election 2024". Sky News. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  3. ^ a b Shehadi, Lemma (5 July 2024). "Abtisam Mohamed becomes first Yemeni elected as British MP". The National. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  4. ^ Pidd, Helen (2 September 2024). "I didn't expect to win". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  5. ^ "Abtisam Mohamed MP". PolicyMogul. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  6. ^ a b c Seddon, Vicky (9 November 2022). "Facing the challenges: Abtisam Mohamed and her bid to become a Labour MP for Sheffield". Yorkshire Bylines. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  7. ^ Pidd, Helen (2 September 2024). "I didn't expect to win". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Sheffield Central MP: Abtisam Mohamed selected by Labour to fight seat". BBC News. 5 December 2022. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  9. ^ Armstrong, Julia (10 April 2024). "The 10 Sheffield councillors who are standing down before May 2 election". The Star. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  10. ^ Willitts, Philippa (5 December 2022). "Abtisam Mohamed - "Deeply inspired by the strength of support": New candidate for Sheffield Central Labour Party announced". Now Then Sheffield. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  11. ^ McCormick, Sebastian (5 December 2022). "Eddie Izzard loses Sheffield Central race as Labour candidate named". Yorkshire Live. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  12. ^ Harrison, Harry (20 November 2024). "Sheffield MP demands action on 'service charges abuse' after signing MPs letter to property boss". The Star. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  13. ^ Walsh, David (14 December 2024). "Excel Parking: Pay meters reinstalled after outcry at Broomhill Sheffield car park - but price trebles". The Star. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  14. ^ Rimi, Aisha (5 July 2024). "First-time Muslim candidates make up most diverse parliament in history". hyphen. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  15. ^ "Foreign Affairs Committee membership appointed". UK Parliament. 29 October 2024. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  16. ^ Boscia, Stefan (4 December 2024). "Five months of Keir". Politico. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  17. ^ "United Kingdom delegation to the UK-EU Parliamentary Partnership Assembly". UK Parliament. 12 December 2024. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
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Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament
for Sheffield Central
2024–present 		Incumbent
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