On March 27, 2023, Humza Yousaf became the new Chief Minister of Scotland and the leader of the Scottish National Party. He is the first Muslim to hold this position and takes over from Nicola Sturgeon, who resigned last month. Yousaf is a second-generation immigrant from Glasgow with a Kenyan mother and Pakistani father who arrived in the UK from Kenya in 1960.
Yousaf is seen as a progressive politician and beat out two other candidates for the position of Scottish chief executive. Alongside Kate Forbes, a follower of an evangelical church, he is marked by his deep religious convictions. In the last days of the campaign, he began his fast for Ramadan.
Yousaf’s campaign manager, Neil Gray, has stated that he will lead and inspire people across Scotland to vote for independence. He aims to build a fair and progressive Scotland, where every child has the best opportunities in life. His director of communication, Jack Middleton, says that his policies will reflect this aim.
Yousaf is also committed to continuing Sturgeon’s social policies, including financial aid for new parents to help them return to the job market. He admires Sturgeon’s work during her more than eight years in office and hopes to build on her legacy.
As a minority politician, Yousaf faces unique challenges when governing Scotland. However, the fact that he is the first Muslim to hold this high office is a testament to Scotland’s progressive and inclusive political landscape. His appointment signifies Scotland’s commitment to diversity, tolerance, and progress, and we wish him every success in his role.
