KARACHI:
Amidst the ongoing tension in the UK, one looks up to leaders for hope and action to bring people together, but I was saddened to hear the reaction of the former Scottish leader, Mr Hamza Yousaf. Stating that he is considering relocating his family to a faraway land due to the anti-Muslim violence in the UK was not only irresponsible but a betrayal of the trust which has been bestowed upon him by the people who had empowered him to lead a nation before.
While I support his intention to find a safe place for his family, I do take this opportunity to give him a failing grade as a leader whom people look up to at a time of turbulence and crisis. When an airplane encounters turbulence one expects the captain to suppress his fear and offer passengers hope and assurances that everything will be OK. Imagine what will be the reaction if the pilot comes through the intercom and says he is going to jump off the plane and to hell with everyone else.
Giving in to the racists, abandoning the post at a time of crisis and thinking selfishly for one’s own circle and ignoring everyone else is a sign that the man lacks empathy and doesn’t deserve to be a shepherd let alone a leader of a nation.
A leader should stand firm against the hooligan beasts and make his voice loud and clear that “we are not going anywhere and this is our country and we are here to stay.” A leader should reveal his true colours at these events, try to unite people, establish the broken lines of communication and take it to the streets to reject hatred and bring the masses together against fear, division and bigotry.
Abubakar N Kasim
Toronto, Canada
