Magid Magid is 28 years old and was born in Somalia. As a young child Magid lived in a refugee camp in Ethiopia before moving to England as a refugee with his family to find a better life. Last week Magid was sworn in as Lord Mayor of Sheffield; he is the first Somali Mayor in Sheffield and also the youngest Mayor the city has ever had.
Magid says when he first arrived in Sheffield, life was difficult as he had to learn a new language and adapt to a new way of life. As he grew Magid became fascinated in mountains and decided he would set himself a goal; "I really wanted to climb the seven summits so I worked 12 hour shifts every day for nine weeks and paid to go on a mountaineering course in the Swiss Alps."
"When I was 19 I wanted to climb Kilimanjaro so I packed what I needed and went to the local town and found someone to climb it with me. I guess that's how I like to do things. I like to look for solutions to barriers and being courageous and brave is part of being able to do that."
Magid then went to University. He says about life at University, "Where else would you meet so many people from different parts of the world and experience such different things in one place? That's what I wanted."
When asked about being Lord Mayor, Magid says, "Just me being in the post brings an element of difference to the role."
What do you see in the picture?
Who do you think this person is?
What do you notice about this person?
explain the story
-What is a refugee?
-Why was living in the UK difficult at first for Magid?
- What did Magid do to achieve his dreams of climbing mountains?
- When Magid went to Kilimanjaro how did he find a guide? What does this story show about how Magid feels about getting to know people who are different to him?
- Magid says he like to find solutions to barriers; what does he mean?
- Why did Magid want to go to University?
- What does this story show about living in the UK today?
- Why do you think Magid wants to be Lord Mayor?
- Usually we see Lord Mayors standing and wearing suits. Why do you think Magid chose to have these pictures taken? What is he showing us?
- What do you think Magid feels about difference and diversity?
- Do you think Magid will be a good Lord Mayor? Why?
- Why is this story about No Outsiders?
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