Lobna Yakout, originally from Northern Ireland, is desperately seeking to reunite with her 10-year-old son, Zayn, whom she has not seen in four years. Zayn was taken by her ex-husband, Karim Selim, while Lobna was residing in Egypt. Selim, who has been convicted of murdering and torturing three women in Cairo and subsequently sentenced to death, has led to Lobna’s harrowing situation. Despite holding custody of Zayn, as confirmed by an Egyptian court document from July, Lobna has been unable to be reunited with her son since 2021.
Born in the US, Zayn moved to Egypt at the age of two with his family. Lobna endured an abusive marriage with Selim for over seven years, fearing for her life before finally escaping in 2020. Despite making efforts to reconcile with her son, she recounted a heart-wrenching moment in 2021 when Zayn was taken away during a brief encounter with his father in Egypt. Lobna, who obtained a “forced divorce” under family law in November 2024, has been tirelessly fighting to regain custody of Zayn ever since.
Lobna’s plight has not gone unnoticed, with Sinn Féin MP John Finucane expressing his support in what he described as a distressing situation. Lobna’s lawyers, Shady Abdellatif Abdel Rahman and Ashraf Farahat, are actively involved in legal proceedings to secure the return of Zayn to his mother. Despite disputes from Zayn’s paternal grandmother, who contests Lobna’s custody claim, Lobna remains steadfast in her determination to be reunited with her son, believing that he will ultimately be back in her care.
With her story garnering attention on social media platforms like TikTok, Lobna’s quest for reunification with Zayn continues to gain traction. Her unwavering love for her son serves as a poignant reminder of a mother’s unyielding bond. As Lobna remains resolute in her pursuit, efforts from UK government officials, including Minister Hamish Falconer, and the US Embassy provide a glimmer of hope in the arduous journey to bring Zayn back to his mother’s embrace
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