“This is a proud day for me and I hope it will be for all Scots because it highlights our values as a country where a Muslim is ruling a western democratic state for the first time.” With these touching words, the new Prime Minister of Scotland, Hamza Yusuf, 37, expressed his joy at taking office on 28 March. So Hamza got involved in politics at an early age, so he snatched the key to the door to the Scottish Parliament at the age of twenty-six, after which he held two ministerial positions. Today, the country’s prime minister is elected by the first Muslim to take on this responsibility. This is Hamza Yusuf, a Pakistani by birth, whose paternal grandparents arrived in Scotland 60 years ago. So what do we know about him?
Yusuf was sworn in as prime minister of Scotland on Wednesday, becoming the first Muslim to hold the post in that country. During his inauguration ceremony, he wore a traditional Pakistani dress consisting of a long shirt and trousers, both in black, at a ceremony held at the High Civil Court in Edinburgh, in the presence of his wife, who shed tears under the influence of the event, as well as his children and parents. The new prime minister promised to “serve faithfully to His Majesty King Charles”, although he was in favor of abdicating the monarchy and moving to a republican system that gives the right to elect the President of Scotland.
In a telephone conversation with him, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak congratulated Hamza Yusuf on his election to the Scottish Parliament after winning the leadership of the Scottish National Party on Tuesday. Youssef commented on the contact, calling it “constructive”, but his ideas of “independence” were present during this call as he stressed to Sunak the need to respect London: “the democratic desires of the people of Scotland and its parliament”.
His victory came at the expense of former Chancellor of the Exchequer Keith Forbes after he received 52 votes to the 48 votes of the Scottish National Party calling for independence. And he got ahead of her in the internal elections thanks to the adoption of a progressive speech, and also became the youngest leader of this political body. He was repeatedly praised for his communication skills, which brought them together.
Yousef got involved in politics early, as he became a parliamentarian and then a minister in 2012 at the age of 26, at which time he was the first Muslim minister in the Scottish government. At the start of his public career, he was appointed Minister of Justice, and then took up the position of Minister of Health during the last government of Nicola Sturgeon, who resigned after eight years in office.
In addition to being the first Muslim to lead a Scottish minister, he also made history as the youngest prime minister to lead that country, and today he is one of the few young leaders in the world.
His paternal grandparents arrived in Scotland 60 years ago from Pakistan. “They never imagined that their grandson would one day become the new Prime Minister of Scotland,” Youssef comments, noting the accomplishment and his Pakistani roots.
Referring to London’s immigration policy, he adds: “It reminds us that we must celebrate immigrants who make a significant contribution to our country”, noting that the UK wants to tighten asylum conditions in the United Kingdom.
Born in Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city, Hamza Yusuf was educated at a private school and later earned a degree in political science from his city’s university before becoming an assistant to Alex Salmond, Sturgeon’s predecessor in the leadership of the Scottish National Party.
His appearance on the political scene of his country was not without racist reactions. He recalls this period, noting that he was subjected to racist attacks and comments, especially in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks. “I’ve been attacked a lot online and, unfortunately, sometimes in person,” he said. And all this did not stop his desire to reach the highest positions.
In 2021, his wife filed a discrimination complaint against a kindergarten that refused to accept their daughter. The nursery denied these accusations, but the body responsible for the checks considered the complaint well-founded, but the couple dropped the claim.
Youssef claims that his own experience will help him defend the rights of all minorities, including gays and transgender people. He promised that he would not legislate according to his faith.
Hamza faces a difficult task at the head of a country whose health care system, for which he was previously responsible, and education are in crisis. His work in the previous government has been heavily criticized, while he prefers to embody the “continuity” of former Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s policies.
He stressed that he would remain in close contact with her in order to consult with her, while promising to lead the country within the framework of a rule that unites all, “and not be limited to a narrow group.” Youssef Hamza is considered close to the former prime minister, and this may be the reason for his party receiving the most votes.
He says, praising her experience, “He’s hard to replace”, promising to work for his country in order to have a “progressive voice on the world stage”. Particularly true to his leftist ideas about the economy, he hopes to raise taxes on the rich.
Sturgeon commented on Youssef Hamza’s rivalry with former Chancellor of the Exchequer Keith Forbes, saying: “Whatever the outcome, it will send a strong signal that any young man in Scotland can aspire to the highest office in the country.”
Youssef was able to attract the most votes in his party, which is affiliated with the left, because he positions himself as a modernist, while his rival Kate Forbes was known for her conservative views, especially against same-sex marriage and abortion.
Yousef Hamza vowed to be among the “generation of independence” given that “the Scottish people now need independence more than ever.” But he became prime minister at a time when the battle for secession from Britain was in a vacuum.