Roh Yakobi
@RohYakobi
Followers
13K
Following
35K
Media
5K
Statuses
54K
Podcaster @TheAfgPod | Consultant | Advocate | 2024 Parliamentary Candidate - named among Labour’s 10 brightest new candidates by the New Statesman.
United Kingdom
Joined May 2009
Nothing is more painful than being told "You don't belong to this country. Get the fuck out!", with your ten year old standing there and breaking into tears. This happened to us for the fifth time yesterday since the #Brexit vote - only once before that in 10 years.
872
4K
7K
His name was Zaki Anwari. He was a member of Afghanistan's national youth football team. He fell off to his death from a plane, trying to escape the Taliban.
212
2K
7K
I was 12 when I was tortured by the Taliban. That wound and many more added through the years of being a refugee will stay for the rest of my days. Tonight, I feel numb for all the young and old who will have to go through the same agony. For the children who will have to flee. .
48
1K
6K
This is so gracious from Tom. Not surprised one bit. And I hope he doesn’t mind me sharing I had a lovely message from him after my count. This is how good people and grownups do politics. Country before party.
Some things are more important than politics. I’m pleased @DanJarvisMBE will be take over from me as Security Minister. Your successes will be silent and your teams unseen. I know you will value them, as I always will. Good luck, my friend.
14
312
5K
Taliban soldiers detaining people in the streets of Kabul. It gets worse by the hour.
675
3K
5K
.@Ed_Miliband’s father fled the Nazis. I fled from the Taliban. He paid his debt of gratitude to Britain. I am paying mine. That’s what drives me to be the MP for #TheWrekin. #VoteRoh #VoteLabour
116
490
3K
I am delighted and honoured to be selected as Labour's parliamentary candidate for The Wrekin. From Taliban captivity and torture as a 12-year-old child to arriving here as a refugee and reaching where I am today, I owe everything I have to this wonderful country. I am
286
533
3K
Overwhelmed by your responses. Thank you!. There have been a few tears. Have been thinking of the village and the punishing lives its people had. Of my mother, who lived the most tragic life and whose burial place I don't know. Of my father who fought the Soviets and then the
I am delighted and honoured to be selected as Labour's parliamentary candidate for The Wrekin. From Taliban captivity and torture as a 12-year-old child to arriving here as a refugee and reaching where I am today, I owe everything I have to this wonderful country. I am
123
435
3K
Taliban official: "Sixty percent of women over 40 in the West marry their pets."
526
558
2K
And this morning, I have found out. It's not just Rishi. Let's get something clear now, between us: The Tories are closing down Telford A&E. They are switching it to an Urgent Treatment Centre which will be treating people who "don't need a comprehensive emergency department
34
1K
2K
There's a lot to like about this photo. For me, it's the privilege of being able to wag your finger at the most powerful man in the land without fear of repercussions, which most among us take for granted. Don't!
130
314
2K
I joined @UKLabour the day I became a British citizen in 2010, believing that through it I could pay back what the country had given me. Today, @jeremycorbyn & his party have more in common with the Taliban than the party which gave us sanctuary from their persecution. I'm off. .
123
758
2K
Wounded, my uncle, Rahim, was captured alive by the Taliban. They tortured him savagely: his eyes were gouged, his ears were cut, his limbs were broken. I hope, as he suffered, he knew that he was hero and will always be remembered as one. And that his people will never give up.
102
341
2K
It’s a profound honour to have been the first Hazara parliamentary candidate in this wonderful country of ours. Sad that it wasn’t to be for me, but I am overwhelmed with pride to have been a part of the @UKLabour team. The British Hazaras, with a strong sense of justice, borne
52
93
1K
It’s official! The nomination papers are in and confirmed! . Never imagined I’d be getting here. That boy, fleeing on the back of a motorcycle, taking one last glance at his village, has done good. Let’s win and give The Wrekin a full time MP.
32
152
1K
Gordon Brown *told @mattforde that preferred 12 minutes in government than 12 years in opposition. Here's why. *Listen to the podcast.
39
307
1K
I am honoured to have the support of Dame @WMaryBeard in my campaign to be elected as The Wrekin's next MP. I am determined not to let her and The Wrekin down. Support my campaign: #VoteRoh #VoteLabour
47
214
1K
Did his last GCSE exam yesterday and 16 today. Being a parent is the greatest privilege of my life. He makes me proud every day.
2
48
1K
BBC's coverage of Russia's invasion of Ukraine makes me proud of paying my licence fee. @bbclysedoucet, @CliveMyrieBBC, @BBCSteveR and the teams behind them are doing such a great job in informing and educating us. Splendid public service from our public broadcaster.
16
65
1K
Watching pictures of severely malnourished in Afghanistan reminds of my little brother, Mohammad, who died of malnutrition in 1997. That grim evening, I tried to give him his last meal. An hour or so later, he was dead on the same little blanket he's sitting on in this pic.
77
187
1K
18 years ago today, the Taliban leader Mullah Omar ordered the destruction of the giant Buddhas of Bamiyan. They also destroyed many of Kabul Meusuem's ancient artifacts. Unforgivable crimes largely overshadowed by the sufferings they've been inflicting on the Afghan people.
31
733
958
Best #LabourDoorstep encounter: . “I am pensioner and a lifelong Tory voter. No more. I have read about you and have been waiting for you to knock on my door so I could give you a big hug.” . #VoteRohYakobi #VoteLabour #TheWrekin.
113
145
874
My cousin, the first female from our family to go to university and become a doctor: .'I am on the rooftop, watching the university building and weeping.'.
23
182
948
Came here as a refugee with no English or connections. Dared and almost became an MP last month. Don’t let small groups of rioting thugs define what Britain is. Ours is a wonderful country. We have so much to be proud of. 🇬🇧🌹.
43
98
867
Missing her birthday today, but all for a great cause. Let’s give her a @UKLabour government to grow up under! . #VoteLabour #VoteRoh #TheWrekin
60
80
772
@JohnnyMercerUK Young people can join the army to fight and die for the country, yet shouldn’t be in parliament? We need more young people in politics, not less. A large number of MPs in your party are old but not in a million years fit to be in parliament.
11
22
677
🌹 What an honour to have been a part of my @WrekinLabour family’s campaign! So proud of everything we did together. 🥳 Britain has a @UKLabour government and The Wrekin and the country will be so much better off for it. ❤️ Thank you all for the kind words and messages!
61
38
671
Women protetesters in Kabul have been beaten and tear gassed today. These are women of unrivalled courage. They are proof that no amount of Taliban oppression can make undo what they achieved in the past 20 years.
37
260
684
Comparing a good and reasonable policy to the Holocaust, seriously? Repugnant. Utterly repugnant.
First they came for the Communists.And I did not speak out.Because I was not a communist.Then they came for the Jews.And I did not speak out.Because I was not a Jew.Then they came for me.And there was no one left.To speak out for me. Pertinent words re Starmer’s smoking ban.
67
61
662
Excited to & happy announce that I have just joined the @LibDems - how could I not follow @lucianaberger? The party has been consistent on issues close to my heart, refugees & Europe. Looking forward to making my own contributions. Hi @josWinson and team!
63
187
626
I am honoured to have the support of @DMiliband. He is a global statesman and has been a huge inspiration to me. #VoteRoh #VoteLabour #TheWrekin
45
146
654
MRP Poll | Labour Majority of 318. 🌹 LAB: 484 (+284).🌳 CON: 64 (-308).🔶 LDM: 61 (+53).🎗️ SNP: 10 (-38).➡️ RFM: 7 (+7).🌍 GRN: 3 (+2).🌼 PC: 3 (+1). Via @Survation, 15 Jun - 2 Jul. Changes w/ GE2019 Notionals.
10
147
605
What they've done to Afghanistan's national music institute.
54
304
649
Her name was Nabela. She was killed by the Taliban during their attack on my birth district yesterday.
31
178
640
Another member of the family who had racially attacked me stopped me in the street as I made my way home. I only managed to record some of his threats - phone died. I have informed the police.
238
573
585
Came here with no English. Raised two wonderful kids. Studied with incredible passion, resilience, and hard work. Went through hell to achieve what she has. Has been proudly serving the NHS. And today we celebrate. What a proud day! 🎓🎉
25
45
639
Topping a great campaign day with some Persian food. Sorry, not sorry. #VoteRoh #VoteLabour #TheWrekin
32
34
594
12 years ago I arrived in the UK as a refugee. Today I have applied to be a @UKLabour parliamentary candidate. #GE2017 #BritainIsGreat 🇬🇧.
46
198
606
Wellington, thank you for taking the time to talk to me. These conversations are key to building the future of The Wrekin. I will work for you, full-time, ensuring your issues are heard. Let’s get the work done to turn the page on the previous 14 years. You want change, let’s
19
97
559
How a decent normal democracy should be. Country before party.
Hard to imagine Trump, Biden, Vance and Harris having a good laugh after the election like Sunak, Starmer, Dowden and Rayner are. #KingsSpeech
254
46
575
Let's not forget, the Taliban used Kabul's football stadium for public executions and shooting women in the head, the last time they were there.
11
93
566
You flee from #Taliban to the UK & join @UKLabour, suddenly you find yourself in the same party as a terrorists apologist. #FeelingSick.
22
227
554
This is a heroin production factory in Helmand, #Afghanistan. This is what Taliban rule means for young and old in areas under their control.
49
579
542
It’s Hong Kong. Never been there, mate.
@RohYakobi go back to hong kong if you are unhappy.
7
24
468
Sharing a @ShropshireStar headline with @wmarybeard. Such an honour. Great juxtaposition too. #TheWrekin #VoteRoh #VoteLabour
5
120
471
It was a pleasure to meet @Keir_Starmer today to brief him on Afghanistan. The West cannot simply wish away the Afghan conflict. It's entered into a new phase, which could prove far deadlier than before. We must ensure the people of Afghanistan are supported.
9
57
495
@trussliz “How I Tanked the British Economy & Lost to a Lettuce” would’ve made an appropriate title.
3
19
459
🗳️ 7 DAYS TO GO! . Polls are predicting it’s going to be a toss-up between me and the Tory part-timer. Give our campaign a hand to victory! . 👉🏼 . #TheWrekin #VoteRoh #VoteLabour.
16
163
455
“Promise to be our MP full time. We’ve had a part-timer since before I was born.” . “Promise.” . #VoteRoh #VoteLabour #TheWrekin
40
68
446
Yesterday the Taliban detained my friend @khadim_karimi and four of his @Etilaatroz colleagues, two of whom were severely tortured. It was a beautiful Kabul night we sat singing. We'll sing again.
18
89
468
Thank you Wellington for a warm welcome, and a rather lively hustings! . It was great to speak with you all about how we can achieve change. We have just over a week - let’s do this, together. #VoteRoh #VoteLabour 🌹❤️
16
82
429
It was a honour to have Lord Bruce Grocott with us on the campaign trail yesterday. His decades of service to The Wrekin and people across Shropshire is very well appreciated by everyone. #VoteRoh #VoteLabour #TheWrekin
19
70
421
Yesterday, Labour’s battle bus made a stop in Telford! Of course, we had to nip in to chat with @AngelaRayner! . Having the opportunity to speak about the issues we face in the region was great - together, we can change Telford and the Wrekin. July the 4th is the first step. We
67
75
398
It was a pleasure to meet Collin, a proud veteran, in Hadley, earlier today. “In my entire life, I’ve never seen a government this bad,” he told me. It’s time for change. It’s time for a full-time MP for The Wrekin. #VoteLabour #VoteRoh #TheWrekin
40
92
406
My promise to Alan and everyone in The Wrekin: I will be your full time MP. No second, third or fourth jobs. You have been neglected and taken for granted for too long. Serving you full time will be the greatest honour of my life. #VoteRoh #VoteLabour #TheWrekin
19
116
392
The choice is clear. A committed full time Labour MP vs a Conservative part-timer who has taken The Wrekin for granted for far too many years. #TheWrekin #VoteRoh #VoteLabour
12
77
385
Spoke to the @DailyMirror’s @Emm_Saunders about who I am and why I do what I do. If you can help my campaign, please do. 👉🏽 #VoteRoh #TheWrekin #VoteLabour
7
88
374
I hope journalists will ask @jeremycorbyn that for what foreign policy reasons the Hazaras, the Yazidis, the Shiites & others are massacred.
26
337
372
11
41
364
Thank you for the extraordinary warmth and generosity. Time for The Wrekin to have a full-time MP. Let’s win together!. #VoteRoh #VoteLabour #TheWrekin
11
63
359
Tony Blair on the Taliban in 2001, as true now as it was then. Only the West chose to be defeated by it.
19
115
396
Hazara families making cookies for soldiers fighting the Taliban in Bamiyan, Afghanistan.
13
63
378
7
34
350
Left, Ameena, shot in the leg during the Taliban attack on an MSF maternity unit in the Hazara enclave of western Kabul. Right, Ameena, standing, radiating joy and hope.
20
62
375
In-depth analysis of national data about to be released by @MVTFWD indicates that Labour CAN secure a progressive win in The Wrekin. Ours is the No. 1 most marginal constituency in the UK. I am the only progressive candidate in The Wrekin that can defeat the Tories, and Labour
12
221
344
"Don't recognise the Taliban. Don't give it legitimacy. We are not scared.". #KabulProtest
14
109
361
24
90
343
No body wants to become a refugee. Being a refugee is a lonely and painful experience. Being forced out of your home scars you for the rest of your life. The wound never ends till your end.
4
114
363
As someone who was tortured and made a refugee by the #Taliban, I find @jeremycorbyn's sympathy for terrorists and his disregard for decency repugnant and sickening. #Afghanistan WASN'T occupied. The international forces were mandated by the UN Security Council Resolution 1368.
16
185
334
1254, Christian, Muslim and Buddhist scholars debating religion and philosophy at the court of Mongke Khan. Wish modern debates were done like this.
16
203
346
The Taliban keep reiterating "we've announced amnesty for everyone". Amnesty for what?! What crimes have the Afghans committed to be forgiven by a terrorist group?!.
10
83
339
24
8
319
Over the past week, we have been overwhelmed by your love and support. Thank you to you all and thank you to the great authors who sent us signed copies of their books. You epitomise everything we love about Britain, our country!
7
37
323