Somali Refugee Appointed as Mayor of Ealing
Faduma Mohamed chooses unity as the theme for her term
Cllr Faduma Mohamed in her offical robes. Picture: Ealing Council
May 28, 2026
Ealing has appointed a new First Citizen, with Councillor Faduma Mohamed formally inaugurated as Mayor at the council’s annual meeting on Tuesday 26 May. Her election marks a historic moment for the borough: she is the first British Somali woman who wears a hijab to hold the office.
Councillor Mohamed said she felt “incredibly proud and honoured” to take on the role, adding that she hoped her appointment would inspire others. “It’s an amazing responsibility to take on, but it’s also a privilege. I want to make everyone proud and be an example to many communities, especially girls and women who look like me. Representation matters.”
A ward councillor for Southall West since 2022, Cllr Mohamed served as Deputy Mayor last year. Her journey to the mayoralty is rooted in Southall, where she arrived aged 11 after fleeing the war in Somalia. She spoke no English at the time, but credits her teachers — particularly an English teacher at Dormers Wells High School who gave up his lunch breaks to help her — with giving her the support she needed to thrive.
During her mayoral year she will be accompanied by her father, Ahmed Mohamed, who will serve as her consort. The new Deputy Mayor is Councillor Ghulam Murtaza.
Cllr Mohamed has chosen Unity as the theme for her year in office, emphasising her desire to bring residents together across Ealing’s diverse neighbourhoods. “As Mayor, I’m looking forward to connecting with our communities across every corner of Ealing. I want to bring people together and highlight what unites us,” she said. “Whether I am attending an event at a church, visiting a temple or mosque, or meeting someone experiencing homelessness, every interaction matters. When people share their stories, they resonate with me because at the end of the day, we are all human, and our shared experiences connect us.”
Her chosen charities reflect that commitment. She will support Hope for Southall Street Homeless, which provides outreach, emergency help and a welcoming day centre for people experiencing homelessness, and Stepping Stones Together UK, which offers community support, advice and wellbeing programmes for individuals and families. Mohamed said she hopes to raise awareness of their work and encourage residents to get involved.
Councillor Peter Mason, Leader of Ealing Council, praised the new Mayor’s dedication. “Councillor Mohammed is a dedicated and hardworking councillor and has been an excellent representative for the people of Southall. I am sure she will be a successful mayor doing her community and our borough proud. As our first hijab-wearing Somali female mayor she is breaking new ground for the borough. Her mayoralty will be a powerful symbol that our borough is a place that values all our residents whatever their background.”
If you’d like, I can also prepare a shorter “news in brief” version, a sidebar on the charities, or a profile piece focusing on her personal journey.
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