Sir Mo Farah has stepped forward in an extraordinary story of identity and separation, offering his support to the man whose identity he was given as a child.
This revelation, which has stunned the sporting world, finally opens a door for the Somali man, Mohamed, to reunite with his family in Britain after more than three decades apart.
A Life Changed by a Name Mix-Up
Mohamed, now 42, revealed how a twist of fate left him effectively orphaned in Africa.
As a boy, his paperwork was mistakenly used for Hussein Abdi Kahin—who would go on to become Sir Mo Farah.
The mix-up meant Mohamed could not join his family in the UK, while Sir Mo’s rise to Olympic glory unfolded under the name originally meant for him.
Watching from Afar as History Was Made
Amazingly, Mohamed even cheered for Sir Mo at the London 2012 Olympics, unaware that they shared the same identity.
“It was surreal,” he told the Mail on Sunday from Nairobi.
“I had no idea that the boy I once was, or the name I was given, was now celebrated around the world.”
A Letter That Brings New Hope
Moved by Mohamed’s story, Sir Mo wrote a personal letter supporting his bid to come to Britain.
Mohamed described the gesture as life-changing.
“Words can’t describe how thankful I am,” he said.
“It has brought back so much hope that I can be with my family again and fix this mistake from 30 years ago.”
Legal Support Adds Weight to the Appeal
Jacqueline McKenzie, a partner at law firm Leigh Day, highlighted the impact of Sir Mo’s endorsement.
“He is a national treasure, and his voice carries enormous weight.
Celebrity support has made a difference in similar cases before, and this is no exception.”
The Full Story Finally Comes to Light
Following a year-long investigation, the Mail has uncovered the details behind this extraordinary case.
Exclusive interviews with Mohamed’s parents reveal the heartbreaking sequence of events.
Muktar Farah, who gained asylum in Britain, sent a visa for his son to his new wife in Djibouti.
However, the paperwork was mistakenly given to the boy who would become Sir Mo Farah, leaving Mohamed stranded in Africa.
A Mother’s Long Journey
Mohamed’s mother, Leyla Geedi, traveled to Britain two years later, only to discover that her son’s visa had been given to another boy.
The separation lasted more than 30 years until the Mail helped Leyla reunite with Mohamed in Mogadishu for two months this past summer.
The Emotional Toll and Moments of Despair
Mohamed shared how he learned of the identity mix-up in 2013.
“I began to have visions of the life I could have lived with my family in the UK instead of being alone in Nairobi,” he said.
He also recounted dangerous episodes, including being robbed at gunpoint in Mogadishu, which deepened his sense of isolation and betrayal.
Hope at Last for Reunification
With Sir Mo’s support and legal backing, Mohamed now has renewed hope of moving to Britain permanently.
He plans to appeal directly to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, seeking a resolution to a story that has spanned continents and decades.
Explore the Story Further
For those who want to dive deeper, Mohamed’s story continues in the Mail’s podcast series The Other Mo Farah, with an accompanying video documentary available on YouTube, offering a closer look at one of the most remarkable tales in sporting history.
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