Who is Humza Yousaf, the first Pakistani-origin leader of Scotland?

LONDON:

Pakistani origin Humza Yousaf on Monday was named the next leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) following a controversial five-week leadership race.

Scotland’s health secretary will almost certainly become the country’s first minister on Tuesday following a vote in Holyrood.

Yousaf narrowly won the leadership race over finance secretary Kate Forbes, and former community safety minister Ash Regan and will replace Nicola Sturgeon, who announced her resignation in February 2023.

The first minister of Scotland is the leader of the Scottish government and the most senior elected politician in the devolved administration of Scotland.

The position is similar to that of a prime minister at the national level.

The first minister is appointed by the monarch after being nominated by the Scottish Parliament, typically from the majority or leading party.

The recent ascent of Yousaf within the SNP marks a significant milestone in the political landscape of the United Kingdom.

As a successor to Nicola Sturgeon, Yousaf's rise to prominence has captured national attention.

Born in Glasgow in 1985, Yousaf is the son of Pakistani immigrants who settled in Scotland in the 1960s.

Yousaf was raised with a strong sense of community and an appreciation for multiculturalism.

He attended the University of Glasgow, where he studied politics and graduated with honours.

Yousaf's political career began in 2011 when he was elected as a member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Glasgow at the age of 25, making him the youngest MSP at the time.

Over the past decade, Yousaf held several prominent positions within the SNP, including Minister for External Affairs and International Development, Minister for Transport and the Islands, and most recently, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care.

Throughout his political career, Yousaf had been a strong advocate for social justice, equality, and human rights.

Yousaf championed numerous progressive policies and initiatives, such as increasing funding for mental health services, promoting renewable energy and public transportation, and supporting refugees and asylum seekers. In 2012, he played a critical role in the successful passage of the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act, which legalised same-sex marriage in Scotland.

As a British Pakistani, Yousaf's rise in the SNP was not only a testament to his political acumen but also an example of the UK's growing diversity and inclusivity.

Yousaf had been open about the challenges he faced as a person of colour in politics, and his success serves as an inspiration to other minority communities in the UK.

Yousaf's parents emigrated from Pakistan to Scotland in the 1960s, seeking better opportunities and a brighter future. His father hailed from the city of Faisalabad, while his mother came from the bustling metropolis of Karachi.

Yousaf's family ties to Pakistan remained strong, as he often visited his extended family in the country and maintained a close connection with his heritage.

Yousaf consistently advocated for strong ties between Scotland and Pakistan, both economically and culturally. As a minister for external affairs and international development, he played a crucial role in fostering trade relations between the two countries.

Under his leadership, Scotland and Pakistan signed a memorandum of understanding to boost collaboration in the fields of education, health, and renewable energy.

Yousaf had also been an advocate for the rights of the Pakistani diaspora in the UK. He worked tirelessly to promote social cohesion and inclusivity, fighting against discrimination and prejudice faced by minority communities.

Yousaf's grandfather, Abdul Ghani, was a prominent freedom fighter during the Pakistan Movement, which ultimately led to the creation of Pakistan as an independent nation in 1947. Yousaf's political inclinations could be traced back to his grandfather's commitment to social justice and equality. Yousaf fluent in Urdu, the national language of Pakistan, regularly used the language to engage with the Pakistani community in Scotland, fostering a sense of unity and belonging.

Yousaf wife Nadia El-Nakla is of Scottish, Moroccan, and Palestinian descent, who works as an events and engagement manager for a charity. The couple got married in 2018, and have a daughter named Amal, who was born in 2019.

The family enjoyed a relatively private life, and Yousaf and his wife occasionally shared glimpses of their life together on social media.

In 2016, Yousaf received the prestigious Sitara-i-Quaid-i-Azam award from the president of Pakistan, in recognition of his efforts to strengthen relations between Scotland and Pakistan.

This award was one of the highest civilian honours in Pakistan, reflecting the significant impact Yousaf had on bilateral ties.

Yousaf was an avid cricket fan and a keen supporter of the Pakistani cricket team. He often shared his enthusiasm for the sport on social media and attended cricket matches between Pakistan and other countries, showcasing his love for the game and his ancestral homeland.

Yousaf’s succession of Nicola Sturgeon as the leader of the SNP could signal a new era of inclusivity and diversity within the party and the broader UK political landscape.

Yousaf's potential leadership could also lead to stronger ties with ethnic minority communities and further promote social justice and equality.

Yousaf's potential leadership could also impact the UK's foreign policy, especially regarding relations with Pakistan and other South Asian countries. As a British Pakistani, Yousaf might bring a unique perspective and understanding of the region, which could result in a more collaborative and nuanced approach to foreign relations.