Humza Yousaf, of Pakistani origin, and grandson of Pakistan freedom-fighter becomes new leader of Scotland. He promised to bring Scotland’s independence in his victory speech. At a time when the UK was led by an Indian-origin leader.
Humza Yousaf is the next head of the Scotland National Party, after a contentious five-week leadership election. The 37-year-old became the first Muslim leader of a Western European country.
“The people of Scotland need independence now. More than ever before and we will be the generation that delivers independence.” He said in the victory speech.
SNP members chose Yousaf over Scottish finance minister Forbes by a margin of 52% to 48%. After third-placed candidate, Ash Regan was eliminated in the first vote. Turnout among the 72,000 members was 70%. Yousaf confronts the difficult task of unifying the SNP. And reviving the stalled independence campaign.
“Just as I will lead the SNP in the interests of all party members, not just those who voted for me,” he said.
He said he will fight to protect the rights of all minorities, including gay and transgender people.
Humza Yousaf advocated for a variety of progressive policies and projects in Scotland. Including increased financing for mental health services, promotion of renewable energy, and public transportation. In addition to assistance to refugees and asylum seekers.
Meanwhile, UK is taking criticism for banning asylum for migrants.
He was instrumental in the passing of the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act, which legalised same-sex marriage in Scotland, in 2012.
Yousaf paid tribute to his late grandparents, who emigrated from the Punjab to Glasgow more than 60 years ago.
“They couldn’t have imagined, in their wildest dreams, that two generations later their grandson would one day be Scotland’s first minister. “We should all take pride in the fact that today we have sent a clear message: that your color of skin, your faith, is not a barrier to leading the country we all call home.”
Yousaf’s political career started in 2011 when, at the age of 25. He got elected as a member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Glasgow. Making him the youngest MSP at the time. He has held a number of prominent roles within the SNP over the last decade. Including Minister for External Affairs and International Development, Minister for Transport and the Islands. Most recently, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care.
He had been a vocal supporter of social justice, equality, and human rights throughout his political tenure. Yousaf has been open about the challenges he encountered in politics as a person of color, and his success serves as an inspiration to other minority groups in the UK.
Who is Humza Yousaf
Yousaf was born in Glasgow in 1985, the son of Pakistani refugees who arrived in the 1960s. Because of this he was reared with a strong sense of community and a love of diversity. He studied politics at the University of Glasgow and finished with honours.
Yousaf’s grandfather, Abdul Ghani, was a prominent freedom fighter during the Pakistan Movement. Which ultimately led to the creation of Pakistan as an independent nation in 1947. Yousaf’s political leanings can be traced to his grandfather’s advocacy for social justice and equality.
He is fluent in Urdu, Pakistan’s national tongue. Which he use to talk with his extended family in Pakistan. As a British Pakistani, Yousaf’s rise in the SNP shows UK’s growing diversity and inclusivity. He had been open about the challenges he faced as a person of colour in politics.
Family
Nadia El-Nakla, Yousaf’s wife, is of Scottish, Moroccan, and Palestinian descent and works as an events and engagement manager for a nonprofit. The pair married in 2018, and their daughter Amal was born in 2019.
Yousaf and his wife occasionally shared glimpses of their life together on social media, and the family led a relatively private existence.
Yousaf was awarded the prestigious Sitara-i-Quaid-i-Azam award by Pakistan’s president in 2016 in recognition of his efforts to improve ties between Scotland and Pakistan.
Demands independence like his ancestors
Yousaf has also stated that he wishes to establish “steady, sustained” support for independence. Polls presently show that Scottish voters are evenly divided on the issue.
“To those in Scotland who do not yet share my enthusiasm for independence, I will work hard to earn your trust by continuing to govern well,” Yousaf said.
Yousaf’s succession of Nicola Sturgeon as the leader of the SNP could signal a new era of inclusivity and diversity.
Yousaf consistently advocated for strong ties between Scotland and Pakistan. He Often visited his homeland and as a minister of external affairs played a crucial role in making Scotland-Pak trade relations.
Scotland and Pakistan signed a memorandum of understanding under his leadership to expand cooperation in education, health, and renewable energy.
Yousaf served as an advocate for the rights of the Pakistani diaspora in the UK. He worked diligently to promote social cohesion and inclusivity, as well as to combat discrimination and prejudice against minority groups.
