Ex-Scotland First Minister Humza Yousaf considers hijrah amid UK riots

Former First Minister of Scotland, Humza Yousaf, has expressed doubts about his family’s future in Scotland following far-right riots across England and Northern Ireland. Speaking on the News Agents podcast, Yousaf shared his concerns about rising far-right violence, including the arson attack on hotels housing asylum seekers and attacks on mosques.

Reflecting on the impact of these events, Yousaf said: “It’s felt utterly horrendous… I don’t know whether the future for me and my wife and my three children is going to be here in Scotland, the United Kingdom, or indeed in Europe and the West.”

Yousaf, born and raised in Scotland, and who is married to Palestinian Nadia El-Nakla, an SNP councillor for Dundee City Council, spoke of his deep ties to the country, noting his role as the former leader of the Scottish Government and the Scottish National Party.

“I question if the future for me, my wife and three children is going to be in Scotland.”

Former First Minister of Scotland @HumzaYousaf is uncertain about raising his family in the UK after the “horrendous” manifestation of anti-migrant discourse.@lewis_goodall | @jonsopel pic.twitter.com/SIC3BMVDIz

— The News Agents (@TheNewsAgents) August 6, 2024

However, despite making history as Scotland’s first Muslim leader, he voiced his longstanding worries about the rise of Islamophobia, stating: “We are now seeing the culmination of not years actually, decades of anti-migrant, anti-Muslim rhetoric being normalised in our discourse, now playing out in the most horrendous, violent way possible.”

READ: What is behind the attacks on Muslims and migrants by far-right groups in the UK?

He revealed that many in the Muslim community share his fears, and said he received “hundreds of messages” expressing similar concerns. Yousaf also recalled his father’s foresight in obtaining Pakistani identity cards, a precaution once laughed at but now seeming prescient.

According to BBC News, Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie of Police Scotland said they are aware of some protests and counter protests planned in Scotland over the coming weeks. He was quoted as saying: “We understand the violent disorder in other parts of the United Kingdom is causing concern and we are continuing to provide reassurance to communities across the country through enhanced patrols and direct engagement.”

“We will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that any potential for violence or disorder in Scotland is identified quickly and responded to immediately.”

Hijrah, an Arabic term for “migration”, involves moving from a non-Muslim majority country to a Muslim-majority one, typically for safety or religious freedom. While Yousaf did not specifically mention hijrah, his expressed concerns about rising Islamophobia and the safety of his family indicate that he might be considering such a move.

READ: UAE warns citizens in UK to avoid protests amid violent unrest