MUSLIM community and campaign groups have reacted with pride to the election of Humza Yousaf as SNP leader.
Yousaf will become the first Muslim leader of a democratic Western European nation if he is selected as first minister by the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday.
The Muslim Council of Scotland congratulated him on his victory which was confirmed at Murrayfield stadium in Edinburgh on Monday afternoon.
The membership-based organisation said on Facebook: “Congratulations to HUMZA Yousaf on being elected leader of SNP. He will become the first Asian and Muslim First Minister when the Scottish Parliament votes him in tomorrow. Mashallah."
Congratulations to Humza Yousaf on being elected leader of SNP. He will become the first Asian and Muslim First Minister when the Scottish Parliament votes him in tomorrow. May Allah swt guide him in this role.
— Muslim Council Scot (@MuslimScot) March 27, 2023
The Muslim Council of Britain said it hopes he can be “a source of great unity across communities”.
The organisation’s secretary-general, Zara Mohammed, said: “The election of Humza Yousaf is not only momentous for Scotland but also for the United Kingdom – the first leader of a British nation from a Muslim background.
“We hope the new first minister will actively work to address those critical challenges facing communities at this current time and be a source of great unity across communities.
“We look forward to working with the first minister, for the common good.”
The Amina Muslim Women’s Resource Centre – based at the John McCormick Business Centre in Glasgow – said they were “proud” of Yousaf and looked forward to working with him.
Congrats to @HumzaYousaf. The First Minister designate will become the first Muslim leader of a democratic Western European nation. Another historic glass-ceiling smashed after @nicolasturgeon served 8 years as the first female First Minister of Scotland. #SNPLeadershipContest https://t.co/6Rp7WW7rv3
— Angus Robertson (@AngusRobertson) March 27, 2023
In a Facebook post, the centre said: “Huge congratulations to Humza Yousaf for being elected as First Minister for Scotland! We are proud of him becoming the first BME Muslim to be elected as First Minister. We at Amina MWRC look forward to working with him!”
The Tell Mama group, which works on tackling anti-Muslim hatred, also tweeted: “Fantastic to see politicians in leading roles representing our multicultural and diverse society in the UK and Scotland. Congratulations @HumzaYousaf elected leader of the SNP."
Lawyer and activist Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu noted that three British Asian men are now in prominent positions in UK politics.
She tweeted: “Humza Yousaf – 1st British Asian Scottish First Minister. Rishi Sunak – 1st British Asian UK Prime Minister. Sadiq Khan – 1st British Asian London Mayor.”
Khan, who became London's first Muslim mayor, said the significance of Yousaf’s election “cannot be understated”.
He tweeted: “Congratulations @HumzaYousaf on your election as new SNP leader. As Scotland’s first ethnic minority first minister, the significance of this moment cannot be understated. Scotland and London have much in common, and I look forward to working with you.”
