Humza Yousaf is a Scottish politician. He is famous for serving as First Minister of Scotland and Leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) since March 2023. His political career includes roles as justice secretary from 2018 to 2021 and health secretary from 2021 to 2023. He has been an MSP for Glasgow Pollok since 2016, previously serving as a regional MSP for Glasgow from 2011 to 2016. Following Nicola Sturgeon's resignation as SNP leader and first minister, Yousaf won the 2023 SNP leadership election and was officially appointed as first minister on March 29, 2023. His appointment marks him as the youngest person, the first Scottish Asian and the first Muslim to hold this office, and he was later sworn into the Privy Council in May 2023. Yousaf made a public announcement on October 9, 2023, disclosing that his wife's parents were unable to leave the Gaza Strip because of the conflict between Gaza and Israel that occurred in October 2023.
Humza Yousaf Family
Humza Yousaf was born on April 7, 1985, at Rutherglen Maternity Hospital in Rutherglen, Scotland. Humza Haroon Yousaf is his birth name. He holds Scottish nationality and she belongs to a mixed ethnicity. About his family, his father, Mian Muzaffar Yousaf, originally from Mian Channu, Punjab, Pakistan, immigrated to Scotland in the 1960s and worked as an accountant. His mother, Shaaista Bhutta, was born in Nairobi, Kenya, to a Punjabi family and also immigrated to Scotland due to racially motivated attacks her family faced in Kenya. Humza has two sisters, Faiza Yousaf and Safa Yousaf. He celebrated his 38th birthday in 2023. His religion is Muslim.
About his education, Humza attended Mearns Primary School in East Renfrewshire, one of only two ethnic-minority pupils in his primary school. Later, he received a private education at Hutchesons' Grammar School, an independent school in Glasgow. He pursued a degree in politics at the University of Glasgow, where he served as President of the Glasgow University Muslim Students Association and graduated in 2007 with a Master of Arts (MA) degree.
Humza Yousaf Political Career
- From an early age, Humza Yousaf engaged in community work, including volunteering for Islamic Relief, community radio, and assisting homeless and asylum seekers in Glasgow.
- In 2005, he joined the Scottish National Party (SNP) due to his belief in Scottish independence, which led to extensive campaigning and his election as an MSP in 2007.
- Yousaf worked as a parliamentary assistant for various MSPs, including Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond, and later as a communications officer at the SNP headquarters.
- He earned recognition for his political potential and participated in the International Visitor Leadership Program.
- In 2011, at the age of 26, he became the youngest MSP, taking his oath in both English and Urdu to reflect his Scottish-Pakistani identity.
- Yousaf served on SNP's backbenches, later appointed as a Parliamentary Liaison Officer.
- From 2012 to 2018, he held various junior ministerial roles, making history as the first Scottish Asian and Muslim minister.
- On 5 September 2012, First Minister Alex Salmond appointed Yousaf as Minister for External Affairs and International Development, responsible for external affairs, international development; fair trade policy, and diaspora.
- On 18 May 2016, he was appointed as Minister for Transport and the Islands following the formation of Sturgeon's second government.
- In 2018, he became the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, overseeing criminal justice in Scotland.
- His tenure included the introduction of the controversial Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill, which faced criticism and amendments regarding freedom of speech.
- In the 2021 Scottish Parliament election, he was re-elected as the MSP for the Glasgow Pollok constituency, and despite the SNP falling just two seats short of an overall majority, Nicola Sturgeon formed her third administration and appointed Yousaf as the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care.
- His tenure coincided with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, during which he initially faced criticism for inaccurately stating that ten children were hospitalized due to COVID-19, later apologizing for any alarm caused.
- Scotland also confronted multiple virus hotspots, and Yousaf, along with other government officials, was criticized for being on holiday during this time.
- In September 2021, as NHS ambulance waiting times reached a concerning six hours, Yousaf's urging for the public to "think twice" before calling 999 was criticized as reckless messaging.
- Following reports of elderly Scots dying while awaiting ambulance assistance, Yousaf sought help from the Ministry of Defence, deploying British Army soldiers to drive ambulances.
- In the 2023 SNP leadership election, he declared his candidacy, pledging to challenge the UK Government on the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill and increase support for Scottish independence.
- He emerged victorious in both rounds of voting, securing the leadership with 52.1% of the final vote and vowing to lead the party in the interest of all its members.
- As of March 29, 2023, Humza Yousaf assumed office as the First Minister of Scotland, making history as the youngest person and the first Scottish Asian and Muslim to hold the position since its establishment in 1999.
- He embarked on a series of ambitious domestic and international policies, including challenging the UK Government's Section 35 order of the Gender Recognition Reform Bill and advocating for a second referendum on Scottish independence, which was rejected by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
- He introduced the concept of a written constitution for an independent Scotland and outlined proposals for citizenship and passports in an independent Scotland.
- Yousaf also addressed economic policy matters, such as the cost of living crisis and the Deposit Return Scheme, which faced UK Government opposition.
- Regarding drugs policy, he supported decriminalization and called for the creation of drug rehabilitation rooms in Glasgow.
- On education, Yousaf reaffirmed the SNP's commitment to free university tuition but faced criticism for initially suggesting the halt of the free school meals rollout.
- His international engagements included a visit to Brussels to strengthen ties with the European Union and meetings with leaders like Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
- Yousaf also expressed solidarity with Ukraine during the Russian invasion and launched a Programme for Government focusing on poverty reduction, economic growth, climate change, and public services improvement.
Humza Yousaf Wife
Humza Yousaf is a married man who married his wife, Nadia El-Nakla, in 2019. Nadia El-Nakla is a psychotherapist, politician, and political activist who became a Councillor on Dundee City Council in 2022. Together, they have one child, a daughter named Amal, and Yousaf is also a step-parent. On October 9, 2023, Yousaf publicly revealed that his wife's parents were "stuck" in the Gaza Strip due to the October 2023 Gaza−Israel conflict.
In the past, Humza Yousaf was in a marriage with Gail Lythgoe, a former SNP worker, from 2010 to 2016. When discussing marriage equality and same-sex relationships, he expressed his belief that the marriages of LGBTQ+ individuals are of equal value and significance to his own heterosexual marriage, stating, "I firmly believe that the marriages of gay individuals are in no way inferior or less valuable than my own as a heterosexual person. Therefore, I do not endorse the notion that homosexual relationships are sinful."
Humza Yousaf Salary
Humza Yousaf is a prominent and financially successful politician whose net worth is estimated to be $5 million as of 2023. His annual salary is over $100,000 at present. His political career began in 2007 when he joined the Scottish National Party (SNP). His primary source of wealth comes from his active participation in politics. Currently, he leads a lavish lifestyle befitting his prosperity and stature in the political realm.
Humza Yousaf Height
Humza Yousaf is an attractive individual, standing tall at the height of 1.85 meters (6 feet 1 inch) or 185 centimeters. He maintains a body weight of approximately 80 kilograms. His striking features include deep brown eyes and a head of black hair. He possesses a slim physique, coupled with an appealing personality.
