Mohamed Abdi Jama Farah was born on 23 March 1983 in Mogadishu, Somalia.^[18] Although Farah’s family was originally from Gabiley, they were living in Mogadishu, Somalia as his father was a businessman there. Farah hails from the Jibril Abokor, a Sa’ad Musa sub-division of the Habr Awal Isaaq clan. After fleeing from Mogadishu to Gabiley with his family,^[19] Farah then spent his early childhood as a refugee in Djibouti with his twin brother.^[20] He moved to Britain at the age of eight to join his father, speaking barely a word of English.^[20][21] His grandfather, Jama, was born in the British protectorate of Somaliland.^[22] His father, Mukhtar Farah, is an IT consultant and a British citizen, who was born in London and grew up in Hounslow.^[23][24][25]

When growing up he got a job at McDonald’s.^[26] Farah attended Isleworth and Syon School, and Feltham Community College. His athletic talent was first identified by physical education teacher Alan Watkinson.^[27] Farah’s ambition was to become a car mechanic or play as a right winger for Arsenal football club.^[26][28] He later joined the Borough of Hounslow Athletics Club in west London.^[29][30]