Black Muslim Woman Makes History as Sheffield’s Lord Mayor

Safiya Saeed’s Appointment Inspires Young Muslims, Challenges Stereotypes in UK Politics

By Abdullahi Yusuf

Safiya Saeed, Sheffield’s first Black Muslim woman to be appointed lord mayor, hopes her new role will inspire young people and challenge stereotypes about leadership.

Speaking to Hyphen, a local cultural magazine, after her first week, Saeed reflected on messages she received, particularly from young girls and mothers expressing admiration for her achievements.

Saeed is the 128th person to hold the ceremonial title since its creation in 1897 and the second of Somali heritage, following Magid Magid in 2018.

Her responsibilities include chairing council meetings and representing Sheffield at civic functions.

Her first official engagement was a visit to Bochum, Germany, to mark 75 years of twinning between the cities.

There, she met groups supporting asylum seekers and immigrant women, which she found deeply inspiring.

Born in Somalia, Saeed moved to the U.K. in 1985 as a teenager and later became a community activist in Sheffield’s Burngreave area.

As a single mother of five, she became actively involved in local schools, offering advocacy and translation services, and eventually chaired a local secondary school.

In 2021, she entered politics, encouraged by community members who valued her years of service.

As the founder of Reach Up Youth, a charity supporting Black and minority youth, Saeed worked to address issues such as housing and rising living costs.

Under its umbrella, she launched the Big Brother Burngreave project in 2017, using sports as a tool to engage young men and steer them away from crime.

The program emphasizes mentorship, with older participants guiding younger ones, fostering a sense of community and responsibility.

Saeed’s efforts have garnered significant recognition.

In 2018, Big Brother Burngreave won the ‘Move More Power of Sport’ award for inspiring social change through sports.

In 2023, Reach Up Youth received the Community Group award at the BBC Radio Sheffield Make a Difference Awards, highlighting its impact on young people in the area.

While speaking to Hyphen, Saeed said that she views her political role as an opportunity to amplify her community’s concerns within the system.

Saeed embraces her visibility as a hijab-wearing woman in public office, seeing it as a chance to challenge stereotypes.

A portrait of her in a jilbab, alongside her son in a thobe, now hangs in Sheffield’s town hall, symbolizing diversity in a city where 20% of residents are from minority ethnic backgrounds.

Saeed hopes this representation will foster a sense of belonging and inspire others to engage with local politics.

Her appointment coincides with Rukhsana Ismail’s election as mayor of Rotherham, another historic first.

While Ismail has faced Islamophobic abuse online, she remains undeterred, emphasizing the importance of civic roles in bringing communities together.

Both leaders aim to inspire younger generations to view their heritage as a strength.

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