It’s been a sombre day for many people in Scotland today. Rumours started circulating about the resignation of the First Minister of Scotland, Humza Yousaf, and the news was confirmed today as he stood in Bute House sharing the news of his resignation. It was emotional listening to him standing and speaking about leaving the top job. The emotions weren’t as high as when Imran Khan was robbed of his premiership in the Pakistani elections, but one questions what exactly happened behind closed doors. Why did the First Minister abruptly tear up the Bute House Agreement, whereas a year ago, he was so fervent in keeping it? At the election debates last year, Kate Forbes had opposed the deal, stating it had a negative impact on communities. Many sources are now stating the First Minister felt he needed to unite the SNP family, and this is why he decided to terminate the agreement.

The Bute House Agreement has been controversial ever since it was signed in 2021. It was around a year after that that I decided to quit the SNP. I have always been a Scottish nationalist at heart; my forefathers hail from Kashmir, so don’t blame me. However, when the aggressive gender wars spearheaded by Sturgeon with the Greens in the shadow began, I felt my own ethical principles did not align, so I decided to quit. It became so farcical that when the Isla Bryson case exploded, Sturgeon was asked, “Is Isla Bryson a woman?” And she couldn’t answer that. Sturgeon is a great politician, but she left the SNP in a mess.

Like many of us weegies, I know Humza’s family well. It was great to see him progress through the ranks of the SNP. He came from a working-class background. His family weren’t millionaires, nor did they have political clout. You can work hard and make it to the top. When Hamza threw his hat in for the leadership, it was an exciting time for Asian Muslims in Scotland; someone who looked like me would represent Scotland. However, when the message was touted that he would continue with Sturgeon’s policies, it sank our hearts. There was a huge commotion in the Muslim community, and frankly, many turned against Humza. He looked like us, but did he really represent us? That is what most Muslims were asking. Many Muslims felt that their ethical views were aligned more with Kate Forbes.

We were first invited by the First Minister to the Interfaith Reception at Edinburgh Castle in September 2023. It was a lovely event; people from all faiths and none came to the event. The First Minister made a commitment that as a man of faith, everyone is welcome in Scotland and is free to practice his/her religion.

On October 7th, Israel was attacked by Hamas, and it responded with heavy-handedness as it had done in the past. The First Minister immediately brought together faith leaders and Palestinians to discuss the situation. The SNP has always been sympathetic to the Palestinian cause, and the First Minister rightly showed great leadership. He immediately went to the synagogue and reached out to the Jewish people. However, he didn’t shy away from criticising Israel and the onslaught that unfolded after October 7th. The First Minister has been consistent in raising his voice against Israel. The SNP presented various motions on Gaza in the British Parliament, and the First Minister called for an immediate end to arms sales from the UK to Israel in a letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. His support for Gaza won the hearts of Muslims, in particular those who had criticised him for his views on gender. The First Minister also won hearts across the world. I was in Tunisia in February, and the scholars specifically asked about the First Minister and how proud they were of him. They even sent him a lovely Tunisian hat that I gave to him at our last meeting at the Eid Reception.

I was also invited to an Iftar at Bute House along with people of other faiths. I was honoured to be the first person to give the Azan in Bute House. The First Minister shared the video on X, and it went viral.

Humza Yousaf’s life in the public sphere has inspired many people from underrepresented backgrounds that if they work hard, are honest, and diligent, one day they can be the First Minister. He is the youngest, first Scottish Asian, and first Muslim officeholder. The New Statesman named him the thirteenth-most powerful left-wing figure in the UK. The New York Times called him a “trailblazer shaping our time”. This is a huge achievement for a young boy fe Glasgow.

I, along with others, thank the First Minister for serving the People of Scotland. The journey to independence continues.

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“And I will tell you today what I will say to my successor: First ministers get to meet countless inspirational people in communities across Scotland, working to make life better for those around them. First ministers get to see first-hand many of the exciting businesses and industries that will power Scotland’s future. And whenever first ministers set foot beyond Scotland’s shores, no matter where they go, in Europe or across the world, they encounter friends and admirers of our nation. If only every person in Scotland could be afforded the opportunity of being first minister for just one day. On that very next day, it’s my belief that they would vote for independence with both their head and their heart.” (Hamza Yousaf)