Shabana Mahmood becomes UK’s first Muslim female Home Secretary

Shabana Mahmood has been appointed as the United Kingdom’s Home Secretary, becoming the first Muslim woman to hold the post.

The appointment follows the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner on 5 September, after which Prime Minister Keir Starmer reshuffled his cabinet. Mahmood, who previously served as Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor, was named head of the Home Office, overseeing immigration, policing, and national security.

According to Gulf News, Mahmood, of Pakistani descent, assumes responsibility for one of the UK’s most senior government positions. A Home Office statement welcomed her appointment, noting that for over two centuries, Home Secretaries have safeguarded the nation, and Mahmood’s leadership marks a “new chapter.”

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Mahmood said: “Serving as Home Secretary is the honour of my life. The government’s first duty is to protect its citizens. Every day in this role, I will dedicate myself to that purpose.”

Born in Birmingham in 1980, Mahmood spent parts of her childhood in both the UK and Saudi Arabia. She studied law at Lincoln College, Oxford, and practiced as a barrister before entering politics.

In July 2024, she was elected as the Member of Parliament for Birmingham Ladywood. Rising steadily within the Labour Party, she has held key roles in both the Shadow Cabinet and government.

During her tenure as Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor, Mahmood implemented reforms aimed at reducing prison overcrowding, including the Early Release Programme, and took firm positions on sentencing and human rights law.

Her appointment as Home Secretary is widely seen as a historic milestone for representation in UK politics.