Shabana Mahmood, a British-Pakistani of Kashmiri origin and an MP for Birmingham, has made history as the first female Muslim Lord Chancellor of the United Kingdom. She was sworn in at a ceremony held at the Royal Courts of Justice in London on Monday.
The event was a significant milestone in British history, with Ms. Mahmood taking her oath on the Holy Quran. By law, the Lord Chancellor serves as the Secretary of State for Justice and is responsible for overseeing the administration of courts and legal aid in England and Wales.
The 43-year-old Labour Party member shared the news on social media platform X, stating, “Today I was honoured to be sworn in as Lord Chancellor, promising to defend our independent judiciary from interference and undue pressure. I will be a champion of the Rule of Law. 900 years into this ancient role, it is more vital than ever before.”
Mahmood, who hails from Small Heath, Birmingham, is the first Muslim woman to hold this position. During her speech, she highlighted her unique status as the first Lord Chancellor to speak Urdu and addressed the challenges faced by the justice system. She emphasized the need for improved access to justice for women and girls who are victims of violence and abuse.
