Hamza Yousaf was sworn in as Prime Minister of Scotland on Wednesday, becoming the first Muslim head of government in Western Europe. Hamzah was elected as the leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) a day before he was elected as the country’s First Minister.
37 year old Yousaf wore a black shalwar kameez at Scotland’s highest court, the Court of Session in Edinburgh while his wife, children and parents were present at the ceremony.
Yousaf, who pledged allegiance to King Charles, had previously said he wanted to replace the monarchy with an elected president if he achieved his dream of ending the three-centuries-long political union between Scotland and England.
Yousaf then announced his new cabinet of six women and three men, who were essentially close allies of former Scotland leader Nicola Sturgeon, who resigned last month after dominating Scottish politics for more than a decade.
Announcing his new team, Yousaf said his government, which for the first time in Scottish history includes a majority of women, should look as closely as possible like the constituents they represent.
“While we defend Scotland’s independence, we will continue to govern well and show the people of Scotland the benefits of decisions about their lives being made here in Scotland,” he said.
The new leader faces many challenges, including uniting his party, charting a new path towards independence from the United Kingdom, and fixing Scotland’s problems in healthcare and education.
Yousaf narrowly won the leadership race on Monday after a tough contest that followed the shock resignation last month of Nicola Sturgeon , who has dominated Scottish politics for nearly a decade.
Yousuf was greeted with great applause and praise when he took office, with many congratulating him for his courage and vision in breaking new ground for Muslims in Britain.
The Scottish leader has declared that his government will be one of equality and respect, and that he will do all he can to give Muslims a voice in local and national politics.
Though Yousuf was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1985, his grandparents had moved to the country back in 1962 from Mian Channu in Punjab, Pakistan. Yousaf’s mother, also of South Asian descent, emigrated to Scotland from Kenya.
During the ceremony, he was dressed in traditional Pakistani costume, symbolising his cultural roots and his desire to represent Scotland’s diversity.
For the first time in history politicians having roots in undivided India, Britain’s former colony, have been elected to top posts in the country.
Britain has a Hindu Prime Minister at Westminster (Rishi Sunak) and Scotland has a Muslim First Minister. In his victory speech, Yousaf said: We should all be proud that today we have sent a clear message, that the color of your skin, your faith is no obstacle in leading the country we call home. It simply means that these two men, whose families came to Britain as immigrants in search of a better life, embody the dream that, through hard work, immigrants and their children can rise to the top of society.
