It has been a long and arduous journey for Muslims in the West, especially in the post-9/11 and 7/7 UK. Anti-terror legislation has been passed, almost, entirely targeting Muslim populations, resulting in stifling surveillance that sees all Muslims as potential terrorists.
And despite the Home Secretary’s denial, Muslims have also been the most discriminated against and the victims of the most hate crimes. Yet, Muslims continue to overcome seemingly insurmountable hurdles to excel in a variety of disciplines, including politics.
Humza Yousaf’s ascension to party leadership, the highest of any Muslim in the West, is cause for celebration. This, however, does not mean the fight against Islamophobia has ended, as frustratingly illustrated by the Home Secretary’s scathing slander of British Pakistanis earlier this month.
The election of Yousaf as leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) and the First Minister of Scotland rendered him the first Muslim to lead a major political party in the UK.
So, we now have a Muslim head of Scotland, a Hindu head of government, and a Muslim Mayor of London, a timely reminder to the disillusioned that despite all the barriers, with exceptionally diligent work, tenacity, and vision, anything is possible.
Yousaf’s grandparents, who emigrated from Punjab, Pakistan, and his mother, who moved from Kenya, could never have imagined that Yousaf would one day become the leader of a country.
The youngest leader in the SNP’s history has achieved many firsts in politics. He was the youngest elected to the Scottish Parliament (2011), and the first Muslim appointed as a minister (2012). He was Minister for External Affairs and International Development, followed by an appointment as Justice Secretary.
Despite having a Muslim population of only 1.4%, Scotland produced the UK’s first councillor, Bashir Maan, a first-generation immigrant elected in 1970. It also produced the first Muslim MP (1997), Mohammad Sarwar, the father of the incumbent Scottish Labour Party leader, Anas Sarwar.
Yousaf is following in the footsteps of his SNP mentor, the late Bashir Ahmad, who was elected as Holyrood’s first Muslim MSP in 2007.
Yousaf demonstrated unique pride in displaying his “Muslimness” when he agreed to be photographed leading prayers with his family after breaking fast during his first night at the official residence. It was a decision, undeniably, made to give hope to many peers who believe there are limitations to what a practising Muslim can achieve.
As he said in his speech: “We should all take pride in the fact that today we have sent a clear message that your colour of skin or indeed your faith is not a barrier to leading the country that we all call home. From the Punjab to our parliament, this is a journey over generations that reminds us we should be celebrating the migrants who contribute so much to our country.”
Photo: Humza Yousaf leads his family in prayer after iftar (Credit: Scottish Government Flickr)
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