In a historic ceremony at the Royal Courts of Justice, Member of Parliament Shabana Mahmood was sworn in as the United Kingdom’s first female Muslim Lord Chancellor on Monday.

“Today I was honoured to be sworn in as Lord Chancellor, promising to defend our independent judiciary from interference and undue pressure,” Shabana said in a social media post. “I will be a champion of the Rule of Law. 900 years into this ancient role, it is more vital than ever before.”

She made her oath in the presence of the lady chief justice and other senior judges, attorney general, solicitor general and leading members of the legal professions.

The event marked a significant milestone in British history, with Shabana taking her oath on the Holy Quran, Dawn reported. By law, the Lord Chancellor serves as the secretary of state for justice and the minister of the crown responsible for the administration of the courts and legal aid in England and Wales.

“Today marks a ‘triple first’: the first Lord Chancellor to swear on the Quran, the first female Lord Chancellor, and the first time a female Chief Justice has sworn in a Lord Chancellor,” Dame Sue Carr, the country’s first female Chief Justice, said.

Shabana expressed gratitude and commitment upon assuming the prestigious role. She reflected on her journey from a young girl working in her parents’ corner shop in Small Heath, Birmingham, to becoming the nation’s top legal official.

In her inaugural address, Shabana acknowledged the historic significance and responsibility of her new role.

“Being the ‘first’ is both a privilege and a burden. Getting this right can open doors for future generations, showing that even the oldest titles of the land are within reach for us all, she said and noted that she is the first Lord Chancellor who can speak Urdu.