Somali-Born Labour MP Sagal Abdi-Wali Takes Oath on the Quran in UK Parliament

Somali-Born Labour MP Sagal Abdi-Wali Takes Oath on the Quran in UK Parliament
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Sagal Abdi-Wali, a 42-year-old Muslim politician from Somalia, formally took her seat in the British House of Commons on October 12, 2026, after taking the parliamentary oath with her hand on the Quran. She became the first woman of Somali origin to enter the UK Parliament, following her victory in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election in London.

Abdi-Wali, who came to Britain as a child refugee in the 1990s, won 12,292 votes, representing approximately 45.2% of the total. She defeated Green Party leader Zack Polanski, who received 8,928 votes, and succeeded former Prime Minister Keir Starmer as the constituency’s representative. Before entering Parliament, she served as leader of Camden Council.

Following the ceremony, Abdi-Wali said she was excited to represent the people of Holborn and St Pancras. During her election campaign, she highlighted housing affordability, tackling homelessness and expanding opportunities for young people as key priorities. Her election has drawn attention to the growing diversity of Britain’s political representation.