Humza Yousaf, the first Muslim leader of a major British political party, faces an uphill battle to revive Scotland’s spirit for independence after becoming a close ally of Nicola Sturgeon.
The new and youngest Scottish National Party (SNP) leader, 37, said his own experience as an ethnic minority meant he would fight to protect the rights of all minorities – including gay and transgender people.
Glasgow-born Yousaf took the oath in English and Urdu when he was first elected to the Scottish Parliament in 2011, before stepping forward to become the first Muslim to serve in the devolved government’s cabinet.
He has been hailed by supporters as a polished communicator who can unite the party as support stagnates for the SNP’s central policy – independence for Scotland.
Despite the British government’s opposition to a new referendum, and the Supreme Court’s setback, Yousaf vowed in his victory speech on Friday to deliver freedom to this generation.
And, while his wife and mother weren’t crying, he paid tribute to his grandfather after arriving in Scotland from Pakistan in the 1960s barely able to speak English.
He would never have imagined “in his wildest dreams” that his future grandson would become a leader in his adopted homeland.
“We should all be proud because today we have sent a clear message: that the color of your skin or indeed your faith is not a barrier to leading the country we all call home,” Yousaf said.
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He was also sworn in as Scotland’s first minister. But far from running away from Sturgeon’s controversial record, he also said he would keep the experienced predecessor in “quick call” for advice.
This led to critics’ portrayal of Yousaf as a political lightweight who would remain in Sturgeon’s camp.
At the same time, he promised a more collegial style of leadership. “Mine would be a shallow circle and a bigger tent,” he told LBC radio.
– Racist abuse –
With the independence push now stalled, after Sturgeon spent more than eight years as first minister, Yousaf took over to face the health and education crises under the SNP’s watch in Scotland.
Sturgeon’s record as minister for justice and health care was damaged on the campaign trail by her main rival, Kate Forbes, and Yousaf must also heal a fractured party after a bruising leadership election.
Yousaf said he was strong after facing racist abuse growing up in Glasgow, especially after the 9/11 attacks in the United States.
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“I always had a hard time,” he recalls, reflecting on his time in politics.
“I’ve been thinking to myself, ‘well, is there anything else I can do in person’ because I’ve also experienced abuse online and, unfortunately, sometimes face-to-face.”
Yousaf’s Pakistani-born father built a successful career in Glasgow as an accountant. The new SNP leader’s mother was born to a South Asian family in Kenya.
Yousaf attended an exclusive private school in Glasgow, two years after Scottish Labor leader Anas Sarwar.
He studied politics at Glasgow University, and worked in a call center before becoming Sturgeon’s previous assistant as SNP leader and first minister, Alex Salmond.
Yousaf joined the Scottish cabinet in 2012, serving in various roles including justice, transport and most recently health.
– Yousaf Republic –
He married former SNP worker Gail Lythgoe in 2010, but they divorced seven years later.
In 2021 he and his second wife, Nadia El-Nakla launched a legal complaint against the nursery, claiming racial discrimination after it rejected the girl.
The complaint was made by an education inspector but the couple have now dropped it, and the nursery has denied the allegations.
He was accused of deliberately skipping the Scottish vote to legalize gay marriage in 2014, under pressure from Muslim leaders.
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Yousaf confirmed that he had previous involvement, and compared his own record to Forbes’ religious conservative views as a member of the Scottish Gospel church.
He said he would “always fight for the same rights as others” and not make laws based on his own faith.
But one man’s constitutional position will not be protected in Yousaf-led Scotland – namely King Charles III.
“I’ve been very clear, I’m a republican,” he told Scottish newspaper The National, calling for a debate on whether Scotland should move to an elected head of state.