She was born in 1971 in Bradford to Pakistani parents and grew up in Birmingham. She is a psychotherapist and mother of three young boys. After attending an anti-war meeting she was struck by the solidarity expressed by non-Muslims and immediately committed herself to the anti-war movement of which she is a leading national figure. She has also become important voice for encouraging Muslim and non-Muslim unity around common principles of peace, social justice and equality.

At the 2005 general election, she stood as the Respect candidate for the Birmingham Sparkbrook and Small Heath constituency against Labour. She finished in second place, ahead of the Liberal Democrat and Conservative candidates, and with 27.5% of the total vote.

Salma Yaqoob is a regular commentator on current affairs on television and radio and has had articles published in a number of newspapers.