Humza Yousaf

Humza Yousaf was born on 7 April 1985 in Rutherglen Maternity Hospital in Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire.Birth certificate of Humza Yousaf, 7 April 1985, Glasgow District 590/396 – National Records of Scotland{{cite web |title=Humza Yousaf MSP {{!}} PrideOfPakistan.com |url=https://www.prideofpakistan.com/who-is-who-detail/Humza-Yousaf-MSP/95 |access-date=12 March 2023 |website=Pride of Pakistan |archive-date=12 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312204149/https://www.prideofpakistan.com/who-is-who-detail/Humza-Yousaf-MSP/95 |url-status=live}} He is a son of first-generation Pakistani Punjabi Muslim Rajput immigrants:{{cite tweet |user=HumzaYousaf |number=257127074630864896 |title=@Suhail_Ahmad well it origin is India! I too am a Pakistani Rajput but historically your family will have been Rajput pre-partition? |access-date=15 August 2023 |date=13 October 2012}} his father Mian Muzaffar Yousaf Arain was born in Mian Channu, Punjab, Pakistan, and emigrated from the city with his family in the 1960s, eventually working as an accountant.{{cite web | url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/maya-amir-inspiration-humza-yousafs-050000321.html | title=Maya Amir: An inspiration: What Humza Yousaf's victory means to young Scots like me | date=6 April 2023 | access-date=9 January 2024 | archive-date=9 January 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109121455/https://uk.news.yahoo.com/maya-amir-inspiration-humza-yousafs-050000321.html | url-status=live }}{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2023/03/29/success-british-asians-humza-yousaf-rishi-sunak-sadiq-khan/ | title=How British Asians came to be political powerhouses | newspaper=The Telegraph | date=29 March 2023 | last1=Rayner | first1=Gordon | access-date=9 January 2024 | archive-date=9 January 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109121455/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2023/03/29/success-british-asians-humza-yousaf-rishi-sunak-sadiq-khan/ | url-status=live }}

His paternal grandfather worked in the Singer sewing machine factory in Clydebank in the 1960s. Yousaf's mother, Shaaista Bhutta, was born in Nairobi, Kenya, to a family of Pakistani-Punjabi descent.{{cite news |last1=Bond |first1=David |last2=Mata |first2=William |date=21 February 2023 |title=Who is Humza Yousaf? The frontrunner to succeed Nicola Sturgeon as SNP leader |website=Yahoo! News |url=https://news.yahoo.com/humza-yousaf-continuity-candidate-looking-141746954.html |access-date=21 February 2023 |archive-date=21 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221132652/https://news.yahoo.com/humza-yousaf-continuity-candidate-looking-141746954.html |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Daisley |first=Stephen |date=20 February 2023 |title=Humza Yousaf looks like Nicola Sturgeon 2.0 |url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/despite-his-protests-yousaf-is-the-continuity-sturgeon-candidate/ |access-date=24 February 2023 |website=The Spectator |archive-date=23 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223022715/https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/despite-his-protests-yousaf-is-the-continuity-sturgeon-candidate/ |url-status=live}} Due to their non-African background, her family was regularly harassed and occasionally assaulted: following an incident where her mother was attacked with an axe, they emigrated to Scotland.{{cite news |date=22 October 2018 |title=Interview: Humza Yousaf on tackling hate head-on |last=Rhodes |first=Mandy |url=https://www.holyrood.com/inside-politics/view,interview-humza-yousaf-on-tackling-hate-headon_9401.htm |access-date=12 March 2023 |website=Holyrood Website |archive-date=12 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312204142/https://www.holyrood.com/inside-politics/view,interview-humza-yousaf-on-tackling-hate-headon_9401.htm |url-status=live}}

Humza attended Mearns Primary School in East Renfrewshire.{{Cite web |title=Who is Humza Yousaf? The Pakistani-origin leader elected as Scotland's First Minister |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/world/who-is-humza-yousaf-the-pakistani-origin-leader-elected-as-scotlands-first-minister |access-date=2023-09-24 |website=Free Press Journal |language=en |archive-date=28 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928131612/https://www.freepressjournal.in/world/who-is-humza-yousaf-the-pakistani-origin-leader-elected-as-scotlands-first-minister |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Dickie |first=Douglas |date=4 May 2023 |title=Alex Salmond takes swipe at public schoolboy Humza Yousaf over school meals |url=https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/alex-salmond-takes-swipe-public-29887747 |access-date=2023-09-24 |website=scottishdailyexpress |language=en |archive-date=28 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928131622/https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/alex-salmond-takes-swipe-public-29887747 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Who is Humza Yousaf— Scotland's leader of Pakistani origin? Know about his wife and other details |url=https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-humza-yousaf-scotlands-first-muslim-leader-know-about-his-wife-and-other-details-576478 |access-date=2023-09-24 |website=WION |date=28 March 2023 |language=en-us |archive-date=28 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928131613/https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-humza-yousaf-scotlands-first-muslim-leader-know-about-his-wife-and-other-details-576478 |url-status=live }} Yousaf was one of two ethnic-minority pupils to attend his primary school. Yousaf was privately educated at Hutchesons' Grammar School, an independent school in Glasgow, where his Modern Studies lessons inspired him to become involved in politics.{{cite web |date=9 May 2011 |title=FPs Humza Yousaf and John Mason elected as MSPs |url=http://www.hutchesons.org/news/1156_fps-humza-yousaf-and-john-mason-elected-as-msps |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025235400/http://www.hutchesons.org/news/1156_fps-humza-yousaf-and-john-mason-elected-as-msps |archive-date=25 October 2014 |access-date=1 February 2015 |publisher=Hutchesons' Grammar School}}{{cite web |last=Mount |first=Harry |date=25 February 2023 |title=Humza Yousaf and Anas Sarwar's debt to private schools |url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/humza-yousaf-and-anas-sarwars-debt-to-private-schools/ |access-date=20 March 2023 |website=The Spectator |archive-date=20 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320155025/https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/humza-yousaf-and-anas-sarwars-debt-to-private-schools/ |url-status=live}}

He described the September 11 attacks as the "day that changed the world and for me" when he was 16 years old. Prior to the attack, Yousaf was close to two pupils whom he sat next to in his registration class, but after the attack in New York, he claims that they asked him questions such as, "Why do Muslims hate America?"

Yousaf studied politics at the University of Glasgow where he was President of the Glasgow University Muslim Students Association.{{cite web |title=Humza Yousaf MSP {{!}} NHS Scotland Events |url=https://nhsscotlandevents.com/speaker/humza-yousaf-msp |access-date=20 March 2023 |website=nhsscotlandevents.com |archive-date=20 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320155034/https://nhsscotlandevents.com/speaker/humza-yousaf-msp |url-status=live}} He graduated in 2007 with a Master of Arts (MA).{{cite web |title=Alumni: Our alumni: Life after Glasgow: Notable alumni |url=http://www.gla.ac.uk/alumni/ouralumni/lifeafterglasgow/notablealumni/ |access-date=14 March 2015 |publisher=University of Glasgow |archive-date=25 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825060621/http://www.gla.ac.uk/alumni/ouralumni/lifeafterglasgow/notablealumni/ |url-status=live}}

{{Humza Yousaf sidebar}}

From an early age, Yousaf was involved in community work, ranging from youth organisations to charity fundraising.{{cite news |last=Allan |first=Vicky |date=13 January 2013 |title=Exclusive: SNP aims to make independent Scotland a world leader in aid |work=The Herald |publisher=Newsquest |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/snp-aims-to-make-an-independent-scotland-a-world-leader-in-aid.19897958 |access-date=1 February 2015 |archive-date=9 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109041838/http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/snp-aims-to-make-an-independent-scotland-a-world-leader-in-aid.19897958 |url-status=live}} He was the volunteer media spokesperson for the charity Islamic Relief, worked for community radio for twelve years and on a project which provided food packages to homeless people and asylum seekers in Glasgow.{{cite web |title=Humza Yousaf MSP |url=https://www.gov.scot/about/who-runs-government/cabinet-and-ministers/cabinet-secretary-for-health-and-social-care/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121128053318/http://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/People/14944/Scottish-Cabinet/Humza-Yousaf-MSP |archive-date=28 November 2012 |access-date=24 February 2023 |website=www.gov.scot}}

Yousaf joined the Scottish National Party (SNP) in 2005, while studying at Glasgow university. Speeches by then-party leader Alex Salmond and anti-war activist Rose Gentle speaking out against the Iraq War convinced him that independence would be the only way for Scotland to avoid going to war.{{cite news |last=Mallinder |first=Lorraine |title=Who is Humza Yousaf, Scottish favourite to replace Sturgeon? |date=17 March 2023 |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/3/17/who-is-humza-yousaf-the-snp-favourite-to-replace-sturgeon |access-date=20 March 2023 |website=Al Jazeera |archive-date=19 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319085643/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/3/17/who-is-humza-yousaf-the-snp-favourite-to-replace-sturgeon |url-status=live}} He started campaigning extensively for the SNP, including for the 2007 Scottish Parliament election, which resulted in the first SNP government in Scotland and Yousaf's first job in the Scottish parliament.

In 2006, Yousaf worked in an O2 call centre,{{cite web |title=Humza Yousaf |url=https://www.parliament.scot/msps/current-and-previous-msps/humza-yousaf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130202060022/http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/msps/currentmsps/28637.aspx |archive-date=2 February 2013 |access-date=24 February 2023 |website=www.parliament.scot}} before working as a parliamentary assistant for Bashir Ahmad, from Ahmad's election as Scotland's first Muslim MSP in 2007 until Ahmad's death two years later.{{cite news |url=http://legacy.holyrood.com/2012/12/home-and-away/ |title=Home and away: Minister for External Affairs and International Development Humza Yousaf |first=Alan |last=Robertson |work=Hoyrood magazine |date=18 December 2012 |access-date=15 March 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150822230606/http://legacy.holyrood.com/2012/12/home-and-away/ |archive-date=22 August 2015}} Ahmad was a personal influence. Yousaf then worked as parliamentary assistant for a few other MSPs including Anne McLaughlin, Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond, who was then First Minister.{{cite web |url=http://www.parliament.scot/msps/currentmsps/28637.aspx |title=MSPs: Current MSPs: Humza Yousaf: Personal Information |publisher=Scottish Parliament |access-date=14 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605070446/http://www.parliament.scot/msps/currentmsps/28637.aspx |archive-date=5 June 2016 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |url=http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/nicola-sturgeon-named-scotlands-top-politician-again-107420n.19429813 |title=Nicola Sturgeon named Scotland's top politician ... again |first=Stewart |last=Paterson |work=Evening Times |publisher=Newsquest |date=16 November 2012 |access-date=14 March 2015 |archive-date=23 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150323153125/http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/nicola-sturgeon-named-scotlands-top-politician-again-107420n.19429813 |url-status=live}} Before his election to the Scottish Parliament, he worked in the SNP's headquarters as a communications officer.

In 2008, while working as an aide, Yousaf partook of the International Visitor Leadership Program, a professional exchange run by the United States Department of State.{{cite web |url=http://www.parliament.scot/msps/currentmsps/28640.aspx |title=Current MSPS: HumzaYousef: Register of Interests |publisher=Scottish Parliament |access-date=14 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605073517/http://www.parliament.scot/msps/currentmsps/28640.aspx |archive-date=5 June 2016 |url-status=dead}} He was awarded the "Future Force of Politics" at the Young Scottish Minority Ethnic Awards in 2009, which was presented to him in Glasgow City Chambers.{{cite web |url=http://www.redhotcurry.com/news/2009/ysme-awards2009.htm |title=Young Scottish Minority Ethnic Award Winners 2009 |publisher=redhotcurry.com |date=14 December 2009 |access-date=15 March 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304195536/http://www.redhotcurry.com/news/2009/ysme-awards2009.htm |archive-date=4 March 2016}}

File:HumzaYousafMSP20110507.JPG

Yousaf was elected to the Scottish Parliament as an additional member for the Glasgow electoral region in the 2011 election.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/election2011/region/html/36139.stm |title=Vote 2011: Scotland elections: Regions: Glasgow results |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |date=8 May 2011 |access-date=20 June 2018 |archive-date=22 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822012518/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/election2011/region/html/36139.stm |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=2011 Election Results |url=https://www.parliament.scot/msps/elections/2011-election-results |access-date=31 March 2023 |website=www.parliament.scot |language=en |archive-date=1 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201115619/https://www.parliament.scot/msps/elections/2011-election-results |url-status=live}} At 26 years old, he was the youngest MSP to be elected to the 4th parliament.{{cite news |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/political-news/stars-who-have-risen-and-fallen.18789246 |title=Stars who have risen and fallen |work=The Herald |publisher=Newsquest |date=5 September 2012 |access-date=15 March 2015 |archive-date=28 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328204753/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/13072077.stars-risen-fallen/ |url-status=live}} When being sworn in, he took his oath in English and then in Urdu, reflecting his Scottish-Pakistani identity;{{cite news |url=http://news.stv.tv/politics/248497-msps-to-take-oaths-in-six-languages/ |title=MSPs to take oaths in six languages |work=STV News |publisher=STV Group |date=11 May 2011 |access-date=15 March 2015 |archive-date=23 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150823000426/http://news.stv.tv/politics/248497-msps-to-take-oaths-in-six-languages/ |url-status=dead}} he was dressed in a traditional sherwani decorated with a Partick Thistle tartan touch, and a plaid draped over his shoulder.{{cite news |url=http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/news-editors-picks/glasgows-magnificent-seven-sworn-in-as-msps.13655416 |title=Glasgow's magnificent seven sworn in as MSPs |first=Stewart |last=Paterson |work=Evening Times |publisher=Newsquest |date=12 May 2011 |access-date=15 March 2015 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402103549/http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/news-editors-picks/glasgows-magnificent-seven-sworn-in-as-msps.13655416 |url-status=live}}

He served on the SNP's backbenches and was a member of the parliament's justice and public audit committees.{{cite web |title=Humza Yousaf |url=https://www.parliament.scot/msps/current-and-previous-msps/humza-yousaf |access-date=31 March 2023 |website=www.parliament.scot |language=en |archive-date=2 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130202060022/http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/msps/currentmsps/28637.aspx |url-status=live}} On 25 May 2011, Yousaf was appointed as a Parliamentary Liaison Officer to the Office of the First Minister, remaining in this post until 4 September 2012.{{cite web |url=http://www.parliament.scot/ResearchBriefingsAndFactsheets/Ministers_Law_Officers_Parliamentary_Liaison_Officers_by_Cabinet_Session_4.pdf |title=Scottish Parliament Fact sheet: Ministers, Law Officers and Parliamentary Liaison Officers by Cabinet: Session 4 |publisher=Scottish Parliament |date=22 January 2015 |access-date=14 May 2016 |archive-date=4 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204043007/http://www.parliament.scot/ResearchBriefingsAndFactsheets/Ministers_Law_Officers_Parliamentary_Liaison_Officers_by_Cabinet_Session_4.pdf |url-status=dead}}

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.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-19492762 |title=Who is in the Scottish cabinet? |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |date=5 September 2012 |access-date=20 June 2018 |archive-date=10 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010024958/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-19492762 |url-status=live}} This junior ministerial appointment saw him working under the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs. He was the first Scottish Asian and Muslim to be appointed as a minister to the Scottish Government.{{cite news |date=5 September 2012 |title=Democracy live: Ministerial appointments debate |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/scotland/newsid_9749000/9749227.stm |access-date=15 March 2015 |archive-date=13 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213085731/http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/scotland/newsid_9749000/9749227.stm |url-status=live}}{{cite press release |url=http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Building-links-with-Pakistan-541.aspx |title=Building links with Pakistan |publisher=Scottish Government |date=18 October 2013 |access-date=1 February 2015 |archive-date=8 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608221402/http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Building-links-with-Pakistan-541.aspx |url-status=dead}}

File:Humza Yousaf signing First Minister nomination form (15866448952).jpg's nomination for first minister, 19 November 2014]]

In October 2013, he outlined the SNP's plans to set out the United Nations target for overseas aid at 0.7% in an independent Scotland and accused the UK Government of going back on its promise in the 2010 coalition agreement to guarantee that level of spending.{{cite news |last1=Carrell |first1=Severin |last2= |first2= |date=31 October 2013 |title=Independent Scotland 'would commit to UN overseas aid target' |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/oct/31/independent-scotland-un-aid-target |access-date=23 February 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=23 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223034515/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/oct/31/independent-scotland-un-aid-target |url-status=live}} Yousaf also outlined that an independent Scotland would "add a progressive voice to global issues promoting peace, equality and fairness" and added independence would be "achieved through a democratic, peaceful means without a single drop of blood being spilled and engaging with all the diverse communities that make up our rich tapestry in Scotland.".{{cite web |last=Yousaf |first=Humza |title=An Independent Scotland would be good for the world |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2013/9/18/an-independent-scotland-would-be-good-for-the-world |access-date=23 February 2023 |website=www.aljazeera.com |archive-date=23 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223034515/https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2013/9/18/an-independent-scotland-would-be-good-for-the-world |url-status=live}}

When Nicola Sturgeon became First Minister in November 2014 following Salmond's resignation, she kept Yousaf as a junior minister, although the name of the position he held was changed to the Minister for Europe and International Development.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-30138550 |title=Nicola Sturgeon announces new Scottish cabinet |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |date=21 November 2014 |access-date=20 June 2018 |archive-date=30 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030025408/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-30138550 |url-status=live}}

On 18 May 2016, he was appointed as Minister for Transport and the Islands following the formation of Sturgeon's second government.{{cite news |url=http://www.orcadian.co.uk/2016/05/new-islands-minister-appointed/ |title=New Islands minister appointed |work=The Orcadian |date=19 May 2016 |access-date=22 May 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160520141028/http://www.orcadian.co.uk/2016/05/new-islands-minister-appointed/ |archive-date=20 May 2016}}

On 26 June 2018, Sturgeon reshuffled her cabinet. She promoted Yousaf to the Scottish cabinet to serve as Cabinet Secretary for Justice, succeeding Michael Matheson.{{cite news |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/scottish-government-cabinet-reshuffle-who-s-in-and-who-s-out-1-4760266 |title=Scottish Government Cabinet Reshuffle: Who's in and Who's out? |work=The Scotsman |publisher=Johnston Publishing Ltd |date=26 June 2018 |access-date=27 June 2018 |archive-date=27 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627144249/https://www.scotsman.com/news/scottish-government-cabinet-reshuffle-who-s-in-and-who-s-out-1-4760266 |url-status=live}} In the year prior to his appointment (2017–18), 244,504 crimes were recorded by the police in Scotland; in the final year of his tenure (2020–21), the figure was 246,511.{{cite web |title=Recorded Crime in Scotland, 2020–2021 |date=28 September 2021 |url=https://www.gov.scot/publications/recorded-crime-scotland-2020-2021/pages/8/ |access-date=28 March 2023 |website=gov.scot |archive-date=6 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006074146/https://www.gov.scot/publications/recorded-crime-scotland-2020-2021/pages/8/ |url-status=live}}

One of his flagship policies was the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill, which he promised would streamline existing legislation as well as add additional protections to minorities while maintaining rights to freedom of speech and freedom of expression.{{cite web |last=Yousaf |first=Humza |title=Humza Yousaf: Hate Crime Bill strikes right balance between respecting freedom of expression and tackling hate speech |url=https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/politics/scottish-politics/2344595/humza-yousaf-hate-crime-bill-strikes-right-balance-between-respecting-freedom-of-expression-and-tackling-hate-speech/ |access-date=14 September 2020 |website=Press and Journal |date=19 July 2020 |archive-date=1 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001112127/https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/politics/scottish-politics/2344595/humza-yousaf-hate-crime-bill-strikes-right-balance-between-respecting-freedom-of-expression-and-tackling-hate-speech/ |url-status=live}} The bill has been criticised by the Catholic Church, the National Secular Society as well as writers,{{cite news |title=Free speech row over new hate crime bill in Scotland |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-53526843 |access-date=29 October 2020 |publisher=BBC News |date=24 July 2020 |archive-date=1 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101011942/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-53526843 |url-status=live}} and in September 2020 it was amended to remove prosecution for cases of unintentionally stirring up hate, which could theoretically include libraries stocking contentious books.{{cite news |title=Controversial hate crime legislation to be changed |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-54269380 |access-date=29 October 2020 |publisher=BBC News |date=23 September 2020 |archive-date=26 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026194434/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-54269380 |url-status=live}} Despite his initial promises, Yousaf in October 2020 said that the exception to the Public Order Act 1986 which allows people to use "otherwise illegal language" in their own homes should be abolished.{{cite news |last1=McLaughlin |first1=Mark |title=Hate crime bill: Hate talk in homes 'must be prosecuted' |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/law/article/hate-crime-bill-hate-talk-in-homes-must-be-prosecuted-6bcthrjdc |access-date=29 October 2020 |work=The Times |date=28 October 2020 |archive-date=25 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125113226/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/hate-crime-bill-hate-talk-in-homes-must-be-prosecuted-6bcthrjdc |url-status=live}}

File:Health Secretary Humza Yousaf at the COP26 Climate Action for Health event (51666872979).jpg Climate Action for Health event, 2021]]

In the 2021 Scottish Parliament election, Yousaf was re-elected as the MSP for the Glasgow Pollok constituency. The SNP fell two seats short of an overall majority in the election, but remained the largest party, with more than double the seats of the Scottish Conservatives. Sturgeon formed a third administration and appointed Yousaf as the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, succeeding Jeane Freeman, who stepped down at the election.{{cite web |title=Scottish Government Cabinet Reshuffle: Who's in and Who's out? |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/scottish-government-cabinet-reshuffle-whos-and-whos-out-584245 |access-date=24 March 2022 |website=www.scotsman.com |date=26 June 2018 |archive-date=30 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430215301/https://www.scotsman.com/news/scottish-government-cabinet-reshuffle-whos-and-whos-out-584245 |url-status=live}}

{{Further|COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland}}

File:COVID-19 press conference - 24 April 2020 (49813911027).jpg press conference on COVID-19 in 2020.]]

Yousaf entered office amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In June 2021, he said that ten children up to the age of nine had been admitted to Scottish hospitals in the previous week "because of COVID".{{cite news |last=McCann |first=David |title=Humza Yousaf angers doctors with child Covid claims |newspaper=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcare/article/humza-yousaf-angers-doctors-with-child-covid-claims-7ncwtffrr |access-date=18 October 2021 |issn=0140-0460 |archive-date=18 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218045537/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/humza-yousaf-angers-doctors-with-child-covid-claims-7ncwtffrr |url-status=live}} Professor Steve Turner, Scotland officer for the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, contradicted him and said that children's wards were "not seeing a rise in cases with Covid". He added that the children in question had been hospitalised for other reasons. Yousaf clarified his statement and apologised for "any undue alarm".{{cite news |date=4 June 2021 |title=Covid in Scotland: Health Secretary Humza Yousaf 'regrets' child Covid alarm |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-57356534 |access-date=18 October 2021 |archive-date=30 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830040407/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-57356534 |url-status=live}}

In July, the World Health Organisation concluded that six out of Europe's ten virus hotspots were in Scotland.{{cite news |last=Maishman |first=Elsa |date=4 July 2021 |title=Covid Scotland: 'Shock and concern' as half of Europe's top ten Covid hotspots in Scotland |url=https://www.scotsman.com/health/covid-scotland-shock-and-concern-as-half-of-europes-top-ten-covid-hotspots-in-scotland-3295742 |work=The Scotsman |access-date=5 July 2021 |archive-date=4 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704123721/https://www.scotsman.com/health/covid-scotland-shock-and-concern-as-half-of-europes-top-ten-covid-hotspots-in-scotland-3295742 |url-status=live}} Tayside topped the list with 1,002 cases per 100,000 head of population over the previous fortnight.{{cite news |last=Boothman |first=John |title=SNP 'in disarray' as WHO says Scotland has six in ten European Covid hotspots |newspaper=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/snp-in-disarray-as-who-says-scotland-has-six-in-ten-european-covid-hotspots-hqrtlj2xh |access-date=18 October 2021 |issn=0140-0460 |archive-date=4 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704203528/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/snp-in-disarray-as-who-says-scotland-has-six-in-ten-european-covid-hotspots-hqrtlj2xh |url-status=live}} The Scottish Government was accused of being 'missing in action' after it emerged that First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Deputy First Minister John Swinney and Yousaf were all on holiday.{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Simon |date=7 July 2021 |title=SNP accused of being 'missing in action' amid Covid surge in Scotland |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/07/07/snp-government-accused-missing-action-amid-surge-covid-cases/ |work=The Telegraph |access-date=10 July 2021 |archive-date=10 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710084958/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/07/07/snp-government-accused-missing-action-amid-surge-covid-cases/ |url-status=live}} Yousaf said he had promised to take his stepdaughter to Harry Potter World, tweeting that: "Most important job I have is being a good father, step-father & husband to my wife and kids. In the last seven months they've had virtually no time from me."{{cite news |last=Pooran |first=Neil |date=7 July 2021 |title=Health Secretary Humza Yousaf defends taking holiday as Covid cases rocket |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/health-secretary-humza-yousaf-defends-taking-holiday-as-covid-cases-rocket-3299214 |work=The Scotsman |access-date=10 July 2021 |archive-date=10 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710084958/https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/health-secretary-humza-yousaf-defends-taking-holiday-as-covid-cases-rocket-3299214 |url-status=live}}

In September 2021, the average waiting time for an ambulance in Scotland soared to six hours and Yousaf urged the public to "think twice" before they called 999. Scottish Conservative health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane criticised the remark as "reckless messaging [that] could put lives at risk" and instead urged people to call an ambulance if they thought they needed one.{{cite web |title=Yousaf's advice to think twice before dialling 999 raises fundamental questions about NHS funding – Scotsman comment |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/opinion/columnists/scottish-ambulance-service-crisis-humza-yousafs-advice-to-think-twice-before-dialling-999-raises-fundamental-questions-about-nhs-funding-scotsman-comment-3384681 |access-date=18 October 2021 |website=www.scotsman.com |date=16 September 2021 |archive-date=1 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001230151/https://www.scotsman.com/news/opinion/columnists/scottish-ambulance-service-crisis-humza-yousafs-advice-to-think-twice-before-dialling-999-raises-fundamental-questions-about-nhs-funding-scotsman-comment-3384681 |url-status=live}} Following reports of elderly Scots dying while waiting for an ambulance to arrive,{{cite web |last=Merson |first=Adele |title='Unacceptable': Humza Yousaf apologises to families impacted by ambulance crisis |url=https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/politics/scottish-politics/3483932/unacceptable-humza-yousaf-apologies-to-families-impacted-by-ambulance-crisis/ |access-date=18 October 2021 |website=Press and Journal |date=21 September 2021 |archive-date=18 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018051418/https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/politics/scottish-politics/3483932/unacceptable-humza-yousaf-apologies-to-families-impacted-by-ambulance-crisis/ |url-status=live}} Yousaf asked the Ministry of Defence for help and soldiers from the British Army were deployed to drive ambulances.{{cite news |last=Andrews |first=Kieran, and Helen Puttick |title=Humza Yousaf sends for taxis to join army tackling ambulance delays |newspaper=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/humza-yousaf-sends-for-taxis-to-join-army-tackling-ambulance-delays-ws9wtn8r3 |access-date=18 October 2021 |issn=0140-0460 |archive-date=27 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027221918/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/humza-yousaf-sends-for-taxis-to-join-army-tackling-ambulance-delays-ws9wtn8r3 |url-status=live}} Audit Scotland concluded that 500 people died in Scotland in 2021 due to delayed access to emergency treatment.{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcare/article/emergency-delays-led-to-500-hospital-deaths-cchd2d87t |title=Emergency delays 'led to 500 hospital deaths' |access-date=26 February 2022 |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227013138/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/emergency-delays-led-to-500-hospital-deaths-cchd2d87t |url-status=live}}

File:Humzayousaf2023snpleadershiplogo.png

On 15 February 2023, Nicola Sturgeon resigned as Leader of the Scottish National Party and First Minister of Scotland, which triggered a leadership election within the SNP to elect her successor.{{cite news |date=15 February 2023 |title=Nicola Sturgeon says time is right to resign as Scotland's first minister |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-64647907 |access-date=22 February 2023 |archive-date=22 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222033702/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-64647907 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Guy |first=Luke McGee, Jack |date=15 February 2023 |title=Nicola Sturgeon unexpectedly quits as first minister of Scotland amid swirl of political setbacks, citing 'brutality' of public life |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/15/uk/nicola-sturgeon-resigns-scotland-intl/index.html |access-date=22 February 2023 |website=CNN |archive-date=23 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223003919/https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/15/uk/nicola-sturgeon-resigns-scotland-intl/index.html |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Carrell |first1=Severin |last2=Brooks |first2=Libby |last3=Adu |first3=Aletha |date=15 February 2023 |title=Who will replace Nicola Sturgeon? Scottish leadership runners and riders |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/feb/15/who-will-replace-nicola-sturgeon-scottish-leadership-john-swinney-kate-forbes-humza-yousaf |access-date=22 February 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=22 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222061054/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/feb/15/who-will-replace-nicola-sturgeon-scottish-leadership-john-swinney-kate-forbes-humza-yousaf |url-status=live}} On 18 February, Yousaf declared his candidacy for leader in an interview with the Sunday Mail.{{cite web |title=SNP leadership race: Humza Yousaf and Ash Regan announce bids to succeed Nicola Sturgeon |url=https://news.sky.com/story/snp-leadership-race-humza-yousaf-and-ash-regan-announce-bids-to-succeed-nicola-sturgeon-12814777 |access-date=19 February 2023 |website=Sky News |archive-date=19 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219022447/https://news.sky.com/story/snp-leadership-race-humza-yousaf-and-ash-regan-announce-bids-to-succeed-nicola-sturgeon-12814777 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Carrell |first=Severin |date=20 February 2023 |title=Humza Yousaf emerges as frontrunner to replace Nicola Sturgeon |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/feb/20/humza-yousaf-emerges-frontrunner-replace-nicola-sturgeon |access-date=23 February 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=23 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223034019/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/feb/20/humza-yousaf-emerges-frontrunner-replace-nicola-sturgeon |url-status=live}} He committed to challenging the UK Government over its decision to block the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill and stated he wanted to increase support for Scottish independence before delivering a referendum.{{cite news |last=Media |first=P. A. |date=18 February 2023 |title=SNP leadership: Humza Yousaf and Ash Regan announce plans to stand |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/feb/18/snp-leadership-humza-yousaf-and-ash-regan-announces-plans-to-stand |access-date=22 February 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=21 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221232907/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/feb/18/snp-leadership-humza-yousaf-and-ash-regan-announces-plans-to-stand |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Sanderson |first=Daniel |date=20 February 2023 |title=Kate Forbes SNP campaign launch upstages Nicola Sturgeon's preferred successor |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/02/20/kate-forbes-launches-snp-leadership-campaign-time-humza-yousef/ |access-date=23 February 2023 |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=22 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222182740/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/02/20/kate-forbes-launches-snp-leadership-campaign-time-humza-yousef/ |url-status=live}}

Yousaf launched his leadership campaign in Clydebank on 20 February.{{cite web |title='Special place in my heart': Humza Yousaf launches leadership bid in Clydebank |url=https://www.clydebankpost.co.uk/news/23334214.humza-yousaf-launches-snp-leadership-bid-clydebank/ |access-date=23 February 2023 |website=Clydebank Post |date=20 February 2023 |archive-date=23 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223003920/https://www.clydebankpost.co.uk/news/23334214.humza-yousaf-launches-snp-leadership-bid-clydebank/ |url-status=live}} He said he was not "wedded" with using the 2024 United Kingdom general election as a de facto referendum on Scottish independence and that one of the issues would be the inability for 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds to vote.{{cite web |date=20 February 2023 |title=Humza Yousaf: I am concerned at using general election as de facto IndyRef2 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/humza-yousaf-nicola-sturgeon-first-minister-clydebank-health-secretary-b2285829.html |access-date=23 February 2023 |website=The Independent |archive-date=22 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222053151/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/humza-yousaf-nicola-sturgeon-first-minister-clydebank-health-secretary-b2285829.html |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Humza Yousaf not 'wedded' to de facto referendum plan as he launches leadership bid |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/23333763.humza-yousaf-not-wedded-de-facto-scottish-independence-referendum-plan/ |access-date=23 February 2023 |website=The National |date=20 February 2023 |archive-date=23 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223003919/https://www.thenational.scot/news/23333763.humza-yousaf-not-wedded-de-facto-scottish-independence-referendum-plan/ |url-status=live}} Yousaf reaffirmed his commitment to defend the Scottish Parliament against the UK Government's Section 35 order, which aims to block the gender reform bill.{{cite news |date=20 February 2023 |title=SNP leadership: Yousaf says his focus is on policies of independence |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-64709805 |access-date=23 February 2023 |archive-date=23 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223003919/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-64709805 |url-status=live}} He added that he could not pretend the bill had not "caused some division" within his party and stated he was "keen to work with those who have got real concerns".

During the campaign, Yousaf faced questions on why he missed the vote on the Marriage and Civil Partnership Act (2014). He said at the time that he was meeting the Pakistani consul to discuss the case of a Scotsman facing the death penalty for blasphemy.{{cite news |last1=Gordon |first1=Tom |title=Yousaf facing questions over missed gay marriage vote |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/23336538.yousaf-facing-questions-missed-gay-marriage-vote/ |access-date=22 February 2023 |work=The Herald |date=21 February 2023 |archive-date=21 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221141731/https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/23336538.yousaf-facing-questions-missed-gay-marriage-vote/ |url-status=live}} Yousaf stated his support for the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, while his opponents Kate Forbes and Ash Regan opposed it.{{cite news |last1=Brooks |first1=Libby |title=Top SNP leadership candidates split over LGBT+ rights |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/feb/20/top-scotland-leadership-candidates-split-over-lgbt-rights |access-date=22 February 2023 |work=The Guardian |date=20 February 2023 |archive-date=21 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221223757/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/feb/20/top-scotland-leadership-candidates-split-over-lgbt-rights |url-status=live}}

As confirmed on 27 March 2023, Yousaf won the leadership race, after being victorious in both rounds of voting. He won the first round with 48.2% of first-preference votes, ahead of Forbes who received 40.7%, and Regan who received 11.1%, thus eliminating Regan. He then won the final round of voting with 52.1% of the vote compared to Forbes with 47.9%.{{cite news |date=27 March 2023 |title=Humza Yousaf elected leader of Scottish National party |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |last=Brooks |first=Libby |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/mar/27/humza-yousaf-elected-leader-scottish-national-party-snp |access-date=24 July 2023 |archive-date=2 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602085923/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/mar/27/humza-yousaf-elected-leader-scottish-national-party-snp |url-status=live }} Yousaf accepted the leadership at an event at Murrayfield Stadium where he promised to lead the party in the interest of all its members.{{cite news |last1=Lawless |first1=Jill |title=Scotland to get 1st Muslim leader as SNP elects Humza Yousaf |url=https://apnews.com/article/scotland-snp-picks-new-leader-sturgeon-independence-296aabf7d7f7657ecb231f244011b0c6 |access-date=27 March 2023 |work=AP News |date=27 March 2023 |archive-date=27 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327104329/https://apnews.com/article/scotland-snp-picks-new-leader-sturgeon-independence-296aabf7d7f7657ecb231f244011b0c6 |url-status=live}}

{{Main|Premiership of Humza Yousaf}}

File:Humza Yousaf being sworn in at the Court of Session.jpg in Edinburgh, March 2023]]

Yousaf was sworn in as First Minister of Scotland on 29 March 2023, after receiving the Royal Warrant of Appointment by King Charles III,{{Cite news |date=28 March 2023 |title=Humza Yousaf: How is Scotland's first minister appointed? |language=en-GB |work=BBC Newsround |url=https://www.bbc.com/newsround/65104572 |access-date=2023-03-29}}{{cite news |title=Humza Yousaf sworn in as Scotland's first minister at Court of Session in Edinburgh |url=https://news.sky.com/story/humza-yousaf-sworn-in-as-scotlands-first-minister-at-court-of-session-in-edinburgh-12844721 |date=28 March 2023 |website=Sky News |access-date=29 March 2023 |language=en |archive-date=29 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329091542/https://news.sky.com/story/humza-yousaf-sworn-in-as-scotlands-first-minister-at-court-of-session-in-edinburgh-12844721 |url-status=live}} becoming the youngest person and the first Scottish Asian and Muslim to hold the office since it was created in 1999.{{cite news |date=28 March 2023 |title=Humza Yousaf confirmed as Scotland's new first minister |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-65098609 |access-date=29 March 2023 |archive-date=29 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329042141/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-65098609 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Humza Yousaf elected by MSPs as Scotland's new first minister |url=https://news.sky.com/story/humza-yousaf-elected-by-msps-as-scotlands-new-first-minister-12844090 |access-date=29 March 2023 |website=Sky News |language=en |archive-date=29 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329032210/https://news.sky.com/story/humza-yousaf-elected-by-msps-as-scotlands-new-first-minister-12844090 |url-status=live}} In September 2023, the New Statesman named him the thirteenth-most powerful left-wing figure in the UK.{{Cite web |last=Statesman |first=New |date=17 May 2023 |title=The New Statesman's left power list |url=https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2023/05/the-new-statesmans-left-power-list |access-date=2023-12-13 |website=New Statesman |language=en-US |archive-date=15 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115165413/https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2023/05/the-new-statesmans-left-power-list |url-status=live }}

Yousaf worked to challenge the UK Government's section 35 order of the Gender Recognition Reform Bill.{{cite web |last=Meighan |first=Craig |date=3 March 2023 |title=Yousaf vows to fight to repeal Section 35 if he becomes SNP leader |url=https://news.stv.tv/politics/humza-yousaf-i-will-fight-next-election-on-repealing-section-35-if-i-become-snp-leader-and-first-minister |access-date=29 March 2023 |website=STV News |language=en-GB |archive-date=14 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314045552/https://news.stv.tv/politics/humza-yousaf-i-will-fight-next-election-on-repealing-section-35-if-i-become-snp-leader-and-first-minister |url-status=live}} During his first meeting with the UK prime minister, Rishi Sunak, Yousaf requested a section 30 order to hold a second referendum on Scottish independence.{{Cite web |date=24 April 2023 |title=Humza Yousaf calls on PM to grant Section 30 order during first meeting |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/23477981.humza-yousaf-meets-rishi-sunak-first-time-fm-london/ |access-date=2023-09-24 |website=The National |language=en |archive-date=28 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928131613/https://www.thenational.scot/news/23477981.humza-yousaf-meets-rishi-sunak-first-time-fm-london/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=24 April 2023 |title=Humza Yousaf calls on PM to grant Section 30 order during first meeting |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/humza-yousaf-calls-pm-grant-185511967.html |access-date=2023-09-24 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-GB |archive-date=28 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928131613/https://uk.news.yahoo.com/humza-yousaf-calls-pm-grant-185511967.html |url-status=live }} Sunak has rejected the request.{{Cite news |date=29 April 2023 |title=SNP plays longer game in bid for Scottish independence |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-65425495 |access-date=2023-09-24 |archive-date=21 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921172007/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-65425495 |url-status=live }}

In June 2023, Yousaf launched the fourth Building a New Scotland paper which focused on the constitution of an independent Scotland. Yousaf declared that there would be a written constitution for an independent Scotland, claiming that such a constitution would set a benchmark in which no future Scottish Government could fall short of as it would be a constitution enshrined into Scots law. Yousaf declared that the government had placed a commitment to a constitution that gave the population "the right to access a system of healthcare free at the point of need, as well as rules on land ownership and environmental provisions". The previous three papers in the series were published by Yousaf's predecessor, Nicola Sturgeon.{{Cite web |date=17 October 2022 |title=Nicola Sturgeon's new Scottish independence paper – the key points |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/scottish-government-scottish-nicola-sturgeon-andrew-wilson-scottish-parliament-b2204460.html |access-date=2023-09-24 |website=The Independent |language=en |archive-date=28 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928131612/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/scottish-government-scottish-nicola-sturgeon-andrew-wilson-scottish-parliament-b2204460.html |url-status=live }}

File:Building a New Scotland - Creating a modern constitution for an independent Scotland.jpg

Opposition parties in Scotland criticised Yousaf and the Scottish Government for "focusing on the wrong priorities". A spokesman for the UK Government said "We want to work constructively with the Scottish government to tackle our shared challenges because that is what families and businesses in Scotland expect" and that "this is not the time to be talking about distracting constitutional change".

On 27 July 2023, Yousaf launched the fifth paper in the Building a New Scotland series entitled Citizenship in an independent Scotland. The prospectus set out the Scottish Government's proposals for citizenship and passports in an independent Scotland, with the Scottish Government seeking to pursue an "inclusive" model similar to that in the Republic of Ireland. People born outside Scotland would automatically be entitled to Scottish citizenship under the plans if at least one of their parents were Scottish, and Scottish people resident in Scotland at the time of independence would be entitled to hold dual Scottish and British citizenship should it be desired. The paper commits an independent Scotland to remaining a member of the Common Travel Area, meaning that there would be no hard border between Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom on land or at sea. Scottish citizens would have the right to a Scottish passport on the day of independence, however, British passports held by Scots after independence would remain valid until their date of expiry.

File:1st Minister meets with International Monetary Fund’s First Deputy Managing Director Gita Gopinath.jpg's Gita Gopinath, June 2023]]

Yousaf entered office amid the ongoing cost of living crisis.{{cite web |title=Humza Yousaf pledges £1 million support for community cost of living projects |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/23357712.humza-yousaf-commits-1-million-fund-cost-living-projects/ |access-date=29 March 2023 |website=The National |date=2 March 2023 |language=en |archive-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307181327/https://www.thenational.scot/news/23357712.humza-yousaf-commits-1-million-fund-cost-living-projects/ |url-status=live}} He expressed support for the introduction of the deposit return scheme, but not in its current form, suggesting it should exclude small businesses.{{cite news |date=28 March 2023 |title=Humza Yousaf: What will be in the new first minister's in-tray? |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-65086105 |access-date=29 March 2023 |archive-date=28 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328154835/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-65086105 |url-status=live}} He emphasised the need for a wellbeing economy and has proposed introducing a new wealth tax to raise money for more welfare benefits.{{cite web |last=Kent |first=Lauren |date=27 March 2023 |title=Humza Yousaf wins race to replace Sturgeon as Scotland's next leader |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/27/uk/snp-new-leader-intl/index.html |access-date=29 March 2023 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=28 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328095601/https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/27/uk/snp-new-leader-intl/index.html |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Scotland's business community reacts to Humza Yousaf win |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/23415274.scotlands-business-community-reacts-humza-yousaf-win/ |access-date=29 March 2023 |website=The National |date=27 March 2023 |language=en |archive-date=29 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329031827/https://www.thenational.scot/news/23415274.scotlands-business-community-reacts-humza-yousaf-win/ |url-status=live}}

File:Cabinet meeting.jpg

During the early days of his tenure as First Minister, Scotland's drugs death had fallen to its lowest levels in five years, however, it still had a higher drug death rate than the other countries of the United Kingdom and other countries in Europe.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-66572155 | title=Scottish drug deaths drop to lowest level for five years | work=BBC News | date=22 August 2023 | access-date=31 August 2023 | archive-date=31 August 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230831204239/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-66572155 | url-status=live }} As First Minister, Yousaf advocated that the Scottish Government supports decriminalising drugs for personal use. The Scottish Government stated that they aimed to provide 1,000 residential rehabilitation beds a year from 2026, prioritising spending more than £100 million on improving access to drug rehabilitation services.

Yousaf argued that "more radical approaches are needed to tackle drug deaths and addiction" in Scotland on the backdrop of high levels of drug related deaths, despite a decline.{{cite web | url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/scottish-government-humza-yousaf-home-affairs-committee-first-minister-mps-b1104081.html | title=Yousaf seeks 'genuine discussion' on drug consumption rooms as MPS support pilot | date=31 August 2023 | access-date=31 August 2023 | archive-date=31 August 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230831204240/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/scottish-government-humza-yousaf-home-affairs-committee-first-minister-mps-b1104081.html | url-status=live }} Yousaf urged the UK Government to examine the evidence surrounding drug rehabilitation rooms and to introduce such a facility in Glasgow, an area of Scotland's with considerably high drug related deaths and incidents. However, the Home Office repeatedly rejected calls that would see sites established where users can take drugs under the supervision of medical professionals. Despite a report published by the Westminster Home Affairs Committee that recommended the establishment of a pilot drug consumption room in Glasgow, the Home Office again rejected calls for such a pilot scheme to be commissioned, leading to intervention from the First Minister who urged the UK Government to look at the evidence highlighted in the Home Affairs Committee report, and if calls were consistently rejected, then powers for the creation of drug rehabilitation rooms should be devolved to the Scottish Parliament.

File:Next chapter for Reading Schools.jpg

Yousaf was challenged to review the long running Scottish Government policy of free university tuition, with University of Edinburgh vice-chancellor Peter Mathieson saying that allowing wealthier families to pay was "worthy of calm consideration". Yousaf disputed calls for a review of the policy, saying that he was "very proud" of the SNP's long opposition to any fees for education in Scotland.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-65543954 | title=Humza Yousaf 'committed' to free tuition for Scots | work=BBC News | date=10 May 2023 | access-date=31 August 2023 | archive-date=31 August 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230831212321/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-65543954 | url-status=live }} He highlighted his support and commitment to the continuation of free tuition in Scotland by saying he was "absolutely committed to ensuring we have free education" and that "university education should be on the ability to learn not the ability to pay".

Yousaf was largely criticised for saying he would stop the roll out of free school meals in Scotland in favour of a more targeted approach. Yousaf was urged to reconsider this decision, with opponents arguing that the stop of the roll out would by a "betrayal" of children in Scotland.{{cite web | url=https://news.stv.tv/scotland/humza-yousaf-suggests-he-could-halt-universal-free-school-meals-in-scotland-in-favour-of-a-targeted-approach | title=Humza Yousaf suggests he could halt universal free school meals | date=3 May 2023 | access-date=31 August 2023 | archive-date=31 August 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230831212315/https://news.stv.tv/scotland/humza-yousaf-suggests-he-could-halt-universal-free-school-meals-in-scotland-in-favour-of-a-targeted-approach | url-status=live }} Yousaf used his own daughter as an example, and argued as to whether his daughter should be entitled to free school meals considering Yousaf's high salary as First Minister of Scotland. Opponents in the Scottish Parliament accused Yousaf of "flip flopping" over free school meals policy.{{cite news | url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/humza-yousaf-flip-flopping-on-free-school-meals-says-labour-hdv0bjx9p | title=Humza Yousaf 'flip-flopping' on free school meals, says Labour | date=September 2023 | access-date=31 August 2023 | archive-date=31 August 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230831212318/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/humza-yousaf-flip-flopping-on-free-school-meals-says-labour-hdv0bjx9p | url-status=live }} After mounting pressure on the backdrop of his statement, Yousaf pledged his support and commitment to free school meals and reaffirmed that the policy of free school meals in Scotland would not be ending and confirmed the Scottish Government's plans to introduce free school meals entitlement in secondary school, however, Yousaf did not provide a timescale for this delivery.{{cite web | url=https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/scottish-news/23623074.humza-yousaf-commits-free-school-meal-roll-out-no-timescale/#:~:text=Humza%20Yousaf%2C%20First%20Minister%2C%20was,appropriate%20timescale"%20was%20under%20consideration | title=Humza Yousaf commits to expanding free school meals but gives no timescale | date=29 June 2023 | access-date=29 April 2024 | archive-date=4 September 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230904053703/https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/scottish-news/23623074.humza-yousaf-commits-free-school-meal-roll-out-no-timescale/#:~:text=Humza%20Yousaf%2C%20First%20Minister%2C%20was,appropriate%20timescale"%20was%20under%20consideration | url-status=live }}

In August 2023, Yousaf launched the Reading Schools project, a replacement initiative of the First Minister's Reading Challenge which was established under Yousaf's predecessor Nicola Sturgeon. 371 schools across Scotland have become accredited as "reading schools", with the hope of an additional 511 schools looking to have joined the project in the future. This is "an accreditation programme for schools that are committing to building a reading culture for their learners and communities".{{Cite web|url=https://www.readingschools.scot/how-it-works|title=Reading Schools|website=Reading Schools|access-date=16 September 2023|archive-date=18 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918103708/https://www.readingschools.scot/how-it-works|url-status=live}} Yousaf claimed that it was the intention of the Scottish Government to "see every school in Scotland become part of the scheme in the next three to five years" to promote and improve reading in Scottish schools.{{cite web | url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/23759447.first-minister-hails-next-chapter-schools-reading-project/ | title=First Minister backs next phase in 'transformative' school reading scheme | date=31 August 2023 | access-date=31 August 2023 | archive-date=31 August 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230831212325/https://www.thenational.scot/news/23759447.first-minister-hails-next-chapter-schools-reading-project/ | url-status=live }}

{{Main|Premiership of Humza Yousaf#Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill}}

{{See also|Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021}}

In September 2023, Yousaf launched his first Programme for Government. The programme for government focuses on reducing poverty, delivering economic growth, tackle climate change and provide high quality public services.{{cite web | url=https://www.gov.scot/news/tackling-poverty-and-growing-the-economy/ | title=Tackling poverty and growing the economy | access-date=3 September 2023 | archive-date=3 September 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903202643/https://www.gov.scot/news/tackling-poverty-and-growing-the-economy/ | url-status=live }}

File:First Minister meets with Icelandic President.jpg, Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, 2024]]

Yousaf entered office as First Minister on the backdrop of the Supreme Court ruling that the Scottish Government does not have the power to legislate for another referendum on Scottish independence.{{cite web |title=Supreme Court judgment on Scottish independence referendum |url=https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/supreme-court-judgment-on-scottish-independence-referendum/ |access-date=2023-08-01 |archive-date=21 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721231008/https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/supreme-court-judgment-on-scottish-independence-referendum/ |url-status=live }} His predecessor, Nicola Sturgeon, had, prior to leaving office, published a series of Scottish Government papers on Scottish independence, titled Building a New Scotland.{{cite web |title=Building a new Scotland |url=http://www.gov.scot/newscotland/ |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=www.gov.scot |language=en}}

In December 2023, Yousaf met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan without UK officials, leading Foreign Secretary David Cameron to issue a warning, threatening to withdraw FCDO support for Scottish ministers due to a breach of protocol.{{Cite news |last=Mason |first=Rowena |date=10 December 2023 |title=David Cameron threat over Humza Yousaf's meeting with Turkish president |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/dec/10/david-cameron-threat-over-humza-yousafs-meeting-with-turkish-president |access-date=2023-12-12 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=12 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212124309/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/dec/10/david-cameron-threat-over-humza-yousafs-meeting-with-turkish-president |url-status=live }}

Yousaf's first international visit as First Minister was to Brussels in June 2023,{{cite web |title=Twitter Status |url=https://twitter.com/ScotGovBrussels/status/1674065328098115592 |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=Twitter |language=en}} which, during a three-day visit, sought to set out his "vision for a meaningful and mutually beneficial relationship" between Scotland and the European Union.{{cite web |date=26 June 2023 |title=Scots leader to visit Brussels to foster ties with EU |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/eu-uk-relations/news/scots-leader-to-visit-brussels-to-foster-ties-with-eu/ |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=www.euractiv.com |language=en-GB |archive-date=21 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721231007/https://www.euractiv.com/section/eu-uk-relations/news/scots-leader-to-visit-brussels-to-foster-ties-with-eu/ |url-status=live }} Yousaf declared his desire to set up a permanent Scottish Government envoy to the European Union in Brussels to "aid the cause of independence".{{cite news |last=Andrews |first=Kieran |date=31 July 2023 |title=EU rebuffs Humza Yousaf's plan for Scottish envoy |newspaper=The Times |language=en |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/humza-yousaf-scottish-representative-eu-plan-rejected-lbdctjc68 |access-date=2023-08-01 |issn=0140-0460 |archive-date=21 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721231007/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/humza-yousaf-scottish-representative-eu-plan-rejected-lbdctjc68 |url-status=live }} Yousaf used the visit to Brussels to reiterate the SNP's position on the European Union and future membership should Scotland become independent, citing that a majority of Scottish voters voted to remain a member of the European Union in the 2016 referendum on UK membership of the European Union. However, the Spanish Government "professed" opposition to future Scottish membership of the European Union, citing fears that a future independent Scotland would lead to advancements in Catalonia's attempts for independence from Spain. Yousaf said that the Spanish Government made it "abundantly clear" and that he "agrees with the Spanish Government – that the situation in Scotland and Catalonia are different".{{cite web |date=28 June 2023 |title=Under-fire Scottish leader Humza Yousaf takes plea for closer EU ties to Brussels |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/scotland-leader-humza-yousaf-pushes-eu-membership-in-brussels/ |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=POLITICO |language=en |archive-date=21 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721231008/https://www.politico.eu/article/scotland-leader-humza-yousaf-pushes-eu-membership-in-brussels/ |url-status=live }}

Yousaf and Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif met in May 2023 in London, with both Yousaf and Sharif declaring a commitment to "further strengthen historic ties between Pakistan and Scotland, including in the domains of trade, investment, education, water management, wind & solar technology and people to people links".{{cite web |last= |title=Pakistan High Commission London |url=https://www.phclondon.org/ |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=Pakistan High Commission London |language=en |archive-date=1 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801071718/https://www.phclondon.org/ |url-status=live }}

File:Meeting with Ambassador of Ukraine.jpg Vadym Prystaiko]]

During the SNP leadership bid, Yousaf was highly criticised and dubbed as "embarrassing" by asking "where are all the men?" when meeting a group of Ukrainian women.{{cite web | url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/23391957.humza-yousaf-explains-ukraine-war-where-men-gaffe/ | title=Humza Yousaf explains Ukraine war 'where are the men' gaffe | date=16 March 2023 | access-date=2 September 2023 | archive-date=2 September 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902210437/https://www.thenational.scot/news/23391957.humza-yousaf-explains-ukraine-war-where-men-gaffe/ | url-status=live }} The group of women explained to Yousaf that their husbands were in Ukraine continuing to engage in resistance to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Yousaf told the BBC that there were in fact Ukrainian men in the building and that the group of women he had addressed the question to did not appear to take offence. Alex Cole-Hamilton of the Scottish Liberal Democrats described the blunder as "clumsy, insensitive and displays a real ignorance of international affairs" from the "man who is about to lead Scotland".

In August 2023, Yousaf attended a wreath laying ceremony in Edinburgh to commemorate Ukraine's independence day. During the event, Yousaf reaffirmed Scotland's support towards Ukraine and stated that Scotland "stands in absolute solidarity with Ukraine". He also highlighted that Scotland had welcomed more than 25,000 Ukrainian people since the Russian invasion in February 2022.{{cite web | url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/23745165.humza-yousaf-pledges-scotlands-support-ukraine-independence-day/ | title=Humza Yousaf pledges 'absolute solidarity with Ukraine' on Independence Day | date=24 August 2023 | access-date=2 September 2023 | archive-date=2 September 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902210441/https://www.thenational.scot/news/23745165.humza-yousaf-pledges-scotlands-support-ukraine-independence-day/ | url-status=live }} He said that it was important for countries in Europe and around the world to continue to pledge their support for Ukraine and assist the Ukrainian efforts in any way possible, and that following the war, that those countries help Ukraine to rebuild. Yousaf thanked the Ukrainians who had settled in Scotland for their contributions to Scotland and said that Scotland would be their home for as long as possibly needed.

Yousaf condemned October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel.{{cite news |title=In praise of Humza Yousaf's Israel response |url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/in-praise-of-humza-yousafs-israel-response/ |work=The Spectator |date=10 November 2023 |access-date=12 November 2023 |archive-date=12 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231112163134/https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/in-praise-of-humza-yousafs-israel-response/ |url-status=live }} He called for a ceasefire in the Gaza war and criticised Israel's blockade and bombing of the Gaza Strip that killed thousands of Palestinian civilians, saying that "Israel has a right to protect itself from terror, but that cannot be at the price of innocent men, women and children who have nothing to do with those attacks. That collective punishment has to be condemned."{{cite news |title=Humza Yousaf condemns Israel's actions in tearful plea over mother-in-law stuck in Gaza |url=https://news.sky.com/story/this-will-be-my-last-video-humza-yousafs-mother-in-law-makes-tearful-plea-from-gaza-12983712 |work=Sky News |date=13 October 2023 |access-date=12 November 2023 |archive-date=12 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231112163132/https://news.sky.com/story/this-will-be-my-last-video-humza-yousafs-mother-in-law-makes-tearful-plea-from-gaza-12983712 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Yousaf calls on every UK political leader to back Gaza ceasefire |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/humza-yousaf-gaza-hamas-rishi-sunak-first-minister-b2437226.html |work=The Independent |date=27 October 2023 |access-date=12 November 2023 |archive-date=12 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231112163131/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/humza-yousaf-gaza-hamas-rishi-sunak-first-minister-b2437226.html |url-status=live }} On 1 November 2023, he condemned Israel for the "blatant disregard for human life" after airstrikes on the Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza.{{cite news |title='I am sorry that world couldn't...': Scotland leader as Gaza refugee camp bombed |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/scotland-first-minister-humza-yousaf-tweet-on-israeli-strikes-in-gaza-refugee-camp-jabalia-2456457-2023-11-01 |work=India Today |date=1 November 2023 |access-date=12 November 2023 |archive-date=9 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109125359/https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/scotland-first-minister-humza-yousaf-tweet-on-israeli-strikes-in-gaza-refugee-camp-jabalia-2456457-2023-11-01 |url-status=live }} He called on Home Secretary Suella Braverman to resign after she branded pro-Palestinian protesters "hate marchers" and far-right counter-protesters subsequently clashed with police in London.{{cite news |title=Calls for Sunak to sack Braverman mount as she is accused of spawning 'hatred' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/suella-braverman-home-secretary-prime-minister-humza-yousaf-cenotaph-b2445819.html |work=The Independent |date=11 November 2023 |access-date=12 November 2023 |archive-date=12 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231112135503/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/suella-braverman-home-secretary-prime-minister-humza-yousaf-cenotaph-b2445819.html |url-status=live }} Yousaf accused her of "fanning the flames of division".{{cite news |title=Humza Yousaf calls on Suella Braverman to resign over protests |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-67390027 |work=BBC News |date=11 November 2023 |access-date=12 November 2023 |archive-date=26 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226095011/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-67390027 |url-status=live }}

{{Main|2024 Scottish government crisis}}

After Yousaf terminated the Bute House Agreement between the SNP and Scottish Greens, he faced imminent votes of no confidence in himself and his government. Yousaf announced his intention to resign as SNP leader and First Minister of Scotland on 29 April 2024. John Swinney was elected unopposed as his successor and Yousaf formally resigned on 7 May.{{Cite web |title=John Swinney elected unopposed as new SNP leader |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-scotland-68964607 |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=BBC News |date=6 May 2024 |language=en-gb}}

At a event in Edinburgh in August 2024, Yousaf admitted that he had made a mistake when he ended the Bute House Agreement with the Scottish Greens.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/aug/08/humza-yousuf-concedes-mistakes-resignation-scottish-greens |title=Humza Yousaf concedes sacking Scottish Greens was a mistake |date=8 August 2024 |work=The Guardian |first=Tim |last=Ambrose |access-date=17 December 2024}}

In November 2024, the Daily Record reported that Yousaf had submitted his application to be a candidate at the next Holyrood election,{{cite news |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/humza-yousaf-applies-snp-candidate-34081108 |title=Humza Yousaf applies to be SNP candidate at the next Holyrood election |date=11 November 2024 |first=Paul |last=Hutcheon |access-date=17 December 2024}} however a month later Yousaf announced that, in fact, he would not seek re-election as an MSP in 2026.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2ld7je8x2lo |title=Humza Yousaf to step down as MSP at next election |work=BBC News |date=17 December 2024 |access-date=17 December 2024}}

File:Humza Yousaf 2018.jpg

Yousaf has been described as socially progressive.{{cite web |last=Daisley |first=Stephen |date=20 February 2023 |title=Humza Yousaf looks like Nicola Sturgeon 2.0 |url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/despite-his-protests-yousaf-is-the-continuity-sturgeon-candidate/ |access-date=23 February 2023 |website=The Spectator |archive-date=23 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223022711/https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/despite-his-protests-yousaf-is-the-continuity-sturgeon-candidate/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Susan Aitken backs contender as 'progressive and inclusive' in SNP leadership race |url=https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/susan-aitken-backs-contender-progressive-164852071.html |access-date=23 February 2023 |website=Yahoo! Finance |archive-date=23 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223022711/https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/susan-aitken-backs-contender-progressive-164852071.html |url-status=live}} He is a follower of his predecessor, Nicola Sturgeon, and is in favour of continuing her socially progressive policies. This formed a major part of his leadership election campaign in March 2023, and he was successfully elected as Leader of the Scottish National Party.{{cite web |title=Who is Humza Yousaf? Nicola Sturgeon loyalist gunning for SNP top job |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/23334389.humza-yousaf-nicola-sturgeon-loyalist-gunning-snp-top-job/ |access-date=23 February 2023 |website=HeraldScotland |date=20 February 2023 |archive-date=23 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223022710/https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/23334389.humza-yousaf-nicola-sturgeon-loyalist-gunning-snp-top-job/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Deerin |first=Chris |date=15 February 2023 |title=What will Nicola Sturgeon's legacy be? |url=https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/scotland/2023/02/nicola-sturgeon-legacy-resignation |access-date=23 February 2023 |website=New Statesman |archive-date=23 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223022711/https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/scotland/2023/02/nicola-sturgeon-legacy-resignation |url-status=live}} He supports Scottish republicanism, stating: "I believe we should be citizens first, not subjects." He attended the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey in London on 6 May 2023.{{cite news |last=Meighan |first=Craig |date=8 March 2023 |title=The nine things we learned from STV's SNP leadership debate |work=STV News |url=https://news.stv.tv/politics/the-nine-things-we-learned-from-stvs-snp-leadership-debate-with-humza-yousaf-kate-forbes-and-ash-regan |access-date=12 March 2023 |archive-date=11 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311110027/https://news.stv.tv/politics/the-nine-things-we-learned-from-stvs-snp-leadership-debate-with-humza-yousaf-kate-forbes-and-ash-regan |url-status=live}}

As a member of the SNP, a pro-Scottish independence party, Yousaf voted "Yes" in the 2014 independence referendum.{{cite web |last=Yousaf |first=Humza |date=17 April 2014 |title=Humza Yousaf: In run up to Scottish independence referendum SNP are still helping all Scots |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/opinion/news/humza-yousaf-run-up-scottish-3424680 |access-date=23 February 2023 |website=Daily Record |archive-date=23 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223022725/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/opinion/news/humza-yousaf-run-up-scottish-3424680 |url-status=live}} He has supported the idea for holding a second referendum, often informally described as "indyref2".{{cite web |last=Live |first=Glasgow |date=23 October 2016 |title="We need to protect Scotland's interests and review our care system" |url=http://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/news-opinion/humza-yousaf-need-protect-scotlands-12065773 |access-date=23 February 2023 |website=GlasgowLive |archive-date=23 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223022724/https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/news-opinion/humza-yousaf-need-protect-scotlands-12065773 |url-status=live}} Yousaf has raised concerns over using the 2024 United Kingdom general election as a de facto referendum as it would not allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote.{{cite web |title=Humza Yousaf: I am concerned at using general election as de facto IndyRef2 |url=https://www.wandsworthguardian.co.uk/news/national/23333941.humza-yousaf-concerned-using-general-election-de-facto-indyref2/ |access-date=23 February 2023 |website=Wandsworth Times |date=20 February 2023 |archive-date=23 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223022713/https://www.wandsworthguardian.co.uk/news/national/23333941.humza-yousaf-concerned-using-general-election-de-facto-indyref2/ |url-status=live}} He also believes another referendum should only be held if there is clear public support, stating "It isn't good enough to have polls that put support for independence at 50 per cent or 51%."{{cite web |title=Humza Yousaf vows to ditch Nicola Sturgeon's de facto referendum plan |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/23333864.humza-yousaf-ditches-nicola-sturgeons-de-facto-referendum-plan/ |access-date=23 February 2023 |website=HeraldScotland |date=20 February 2023 |archive-date=23 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223022711/https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/23333864.humza-yousaf-ditches-nicola-sturgeons-de-facto-referendum-plan/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |date=22 February 2023 |title=Humza Yousaf accepts no 'sustained majority' for independence |work=ITV News |url=https://www.itv.com/news/border/2023-02-22/humza-yousaf-accepts-no-sustained-majority-for-independence |access-date=23 February 2023 |archive-date=23 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223022711/https://www.itv.com/news/border/2023-02-22/humza-yousaf-accepts-no-sustained-majority-for-independence |url-status=live}}

In 2020, Yousaf expressed support for increasing the racial diversity among top government positions in Scotland. He stated "for 99% of the meetings I go to, I'm the only non-White person in the room... Every chair of every public body is White. That is not good enough."{{cite news |last=Meer |first=Nasar |date=1 March 2023 |title=All but one of Scotland's cabinet ministers have been white – this SNP leadership race could be a turning point |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/mar/01/scotland-cabinet-ministers-white-snp-leadership-race-humza-yousaf |access-date=28 March 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=27 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327172704/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/mar/01/scotland-cabinet-ministers-white-snp-leadership-race-humza-yousaf |url-status=live}} Yousaf said in 2023 that he was "firmly committed to equality for everyone" and has vocally supported same-sex marriage and gender reforms for transgender persons.{{cite web |last=Hansford |first=Amelia |date=21 February 2023 |title=Is SNP's Humza Yousaf Scotland's only hope for trans rights? |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/02/21/humza-yousaf-where-does-he-stand-on-transgender-rights/ |access-date=23 February 2023 |website=PinkNews |archive-date=23 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223022711/https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/02/21/humza-yousaf-where-does-he-stand-on-transgender-rights/ |url-status=live}} In 2014, he was absent for the final vote of the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014 due to a ministerial engagement, although he voted in favour of the bill in earlier stages.{{cite web |title=Why did Humza Yousaf miss the Scottish Parliament's final equal marriage vote? |url=https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/why-did-humza-yousaf-miss-120005970.html |access-date=23 February 2023 |website=uk.sports.yahoo.com |date=21 February 2023 |archive-date=23 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223022712/https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/why-did-humza-yousaf-miss-120005970.html |url-status=live}} He also voted in favour of the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill.{{cite news |date=21 February 2023 |title=LGBTQ Rights Take Center Stage in Scottish Leadership Race |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-02-21/scottish-health-secratary-yousaf-leads-race-to-replace-sturgeon |access-date=23 February 2023 }} Additionally, Yousaf has vowed to secure the rights of the LGBT community in a written constitution if Scotland gains independence.{{cite web |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/23362083.humza-yousaf-says-cement-lgbt-rights-written-constitution/ |title=LGBT rights would be embedded in a written Scottish constitution, says Humza Yousaf |website=The National |date=3 March 2023 |access-date=28 March 2023 |archive-date=28 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328085539/https://www.thenational.scot/news/23362083.humza-yousaf-says-cement-lgbt-rights-written-constitution/ |url-status=live}}

Yousaf is a strong advocate of LGBT rights. On the topic of marriage equality and gay sex he commented: "I believe that people's marriage, if they are gay, and they are married, that their marriage is no more inferior, or worth less, than my marriage as a heterosexual individual. So no, I don't subscribe to that view [that gay sex is a sin]." Amid controversy over Kate Forbes' religious views, Yousaf, a practising Muslim, said that he does not "legislate on the basis of [his] faith".

Yousaf's belief that gay sex is not a sin (contradicting Islamic law and teachings) caused controversy in the Muslim community, leading to prominent Muslim figures like Mohammad Hijab and Hamza Tzortzis excommunicating him from Islam given Yousaf effectively deemed something impermissible in Islam as permissible.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cjP5LEDohA |title=Is Humza Yousaf Muslim? |date=30 March 2023 |last=Mohammed Hijab |access-date=2024-07-20 |via=YouTube}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYyP057CI7Y |title=Response to UK Muslim Brotherhood on Takfir of Humza Yusaf (1st Minister of Scotland) |date=7 April 2023 |last=Mohammed Hijab |access-date=2024-07-20 |via=YouTube}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAmOHHlUUow |title=Betraying Islam: Humza Yousaf, Takfir & the LGBTQ+ Agenda |date=3 April 2023 |last=Hamza Andreas Tzortzis |access-date=2024-07-20 |via=YouTube}}{{Cite web |last=5Pillars (RMS) |date=29 March 2023 |title=Humza Yousaf has trashed Islamic teachings on his way to Scotland's top job |url=https://5pillarsuk.com/2023/03/29/humza-yousaf-has-trashed-islamic-teachings-on-his-way-to-scotlands-top-job/ |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=5Pillars}} On 24 June 2023, at an event at the Caird Hall in Dundee, Yousaf restated the SNP's intention of using the next general election as a de facto referendum to demand Scottish independence.{{cite news |date=23 June 2023 |title=SNP will use general election to demand independence |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-65998210 |access-date=2023-06-24 |archive-date=24 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624121140/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-65998210 |url-status=live }} In October 2023, he announced that this would take the form of interpreting the SNP winning a majority of UK parliamentary seats in Scotland as a vote for independence.{{cite news |last1=Carrell |first1=Severin |last2=Brooks |first2=Libby |title=Humza Yousaf quells SNP rebellion with independence strategy compromise |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/oct/15/humza-yousaf-quells-snp-rebellion-independence-strategy-compromise |access-date=20 October 2023 |work=The Guardian |date=15 October 2023 |archive-date=19 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231019211233/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/oct/15/humza-yousaf-quells-snp-rebellion-independence-strategy-compromise |url-status=live }}

{{Transcluded section|source=Glasgow Pollok (Scottish Parliament constituency)}}{{AMS election box begin|title=2021 Scottish Parliament election: Glasgow Pollok{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election/2021/scotland/constituencies/S16000119 |title=Constituencies A-Z: Glasgow Pollok |publisher=BBC News |access-date=7 May 2021 |archive-date=7 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507101920/https://www.bbc.com/news/election/2021/scotland/constituencies/S16000119 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=27046 |title=Region Results for Glasgow Pollok (2021) |date=7 May 2021 |publisher=Glasgow City Council |access-date=24 August 2021 |archive-date=25 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825105544/https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=27046 |url-status=live}}|constituency_type=Constituency|list_type=Regional}}

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{{AMS election box with party link||party=Scottish Conservatives|candidate=Sandesh Gulhane|votes=1,849|percentage=5.5|change={{decrease}}4.0|list_votes=3,832|list_percentage=11.3|list_change={{up}}2.2|status=list_candidate}}

{{AMS election box with party link||party=Scottish Greens|candidate=Nadia Kanyange|votes=1,651|percentage=4.9|change=New|list_votes=1,975|list_percentage=5.8|list_change={{up}}0.9}}

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{{AMS election box with list party link|party=Reform UK|list_votes=50|list_percentage=0.1|list_change=New}}

{{AMS election box with party link||party=Reclaim Party|candidate=Leo Kearse|votes=114|percentage=0.3|change=New|list_votes=32|list_percentage=0.1|list_change=New}}

{{AMS election box minor party||party=No label|candidate=Joseph Finnie|votes=94|percentage=0.3|change=New}}

{{AMS election box independent|party=Independent politician|candidate=Craig Ross|list_votes=25|list_percentage=0.1|list_change=New}}

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{{AMS election box independent|party=Independent politician|candidate=Daniel Donaldson|list_votes=10|list_percentage=0.03|list_change=New}}

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{{AMS election box valid votes|votes=33,793|list_votes=33,828}}

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{{AMS election box turnout|votes=33,924|percentage=54.3|change={{increase}}8.5|list_votes=33,915|list_percentage=54.3|list_change={{increase}}8.4}}

{{AMS election box hold||winner=Scottish National Party}}

{{AMS election box end|notes=yes}}

{{Transcluded section|source=Glasgow Pollok (Scottish Parliament constituency)}}{{AMS election box begin|title=2016 Scottish Parliament election: Glasgow Pollok{{cite web |url=https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/forms/election/ResultsForScottish.aspx |title=Scottish Results |publisher=Glasgow City Council |access-date=25 August 2021 |archive-date=3 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803142055/https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/forms/election/ResultsForScottish.aspx |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=19449 |title=Region Results for Glasgow Pollok (2016) |date=5 May 2016 |publisher=Glasgow City Council |access-date=24 August 2021 |archive-date=18 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418141317/https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=19449 |url-status=live}}|constituency_type=Constituency}}

{{AMS election box with party link|party=Scottish National Party|candidate=Humza Yousaf|votes=15,316|percentage=54.8|change={{increase}}10.1|list_votes=13,902|list_percentage=49.5|list_change={{increase}}7.4|winner=yes|list_winner=yes|status=list incumbent}}

{{AMS election box with party link|party=Labour and co-operative|candidate=Johann Lamont{{efn|Lamont stood on a joint ticket on behalf of Scottish Labour and the Scottish Co-operative Party. The regional list vote was for Scottish Labour only.}}|votes=8,834|percentage=31.6|change={{decrease}}15.8|list_votes=7,237|list_percentage=25.8|list_change={{decrease}}12.3|status=incumbent}}

{{AMS election box with party link|party=Scottish Conservatives|candidate=Thomas Haddow|votes=2,653|percentage=9.5|change={{increase}}3.8|list_votes=2,545|list_percentage=9.1|list_change={{increase}}4.9}}

{{AMS election box with party link|party=Scottish Liberal Democrats|candidate=Isabel Nelson|votes=585|percentage=2.1|change={{no change}}0.0|list_votes=375|list_percentage=1.3|list_change={{down}}0.1}}

{{AMS election box with constituency party link|party=Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition|candidate=Ian Leech|votes=555|percentage=2.0|change=New}}

{{AMS election box with list party link|party=Scottish Greens|list_votes=1,363|list_percentage=4.9|list_change={{up}}2.4}}

{{AMS election box with list party link|party=Solidarity (Scotland)|list_votes=915|list_percentage=3.3|list_change=New}}

{{AMS election box with list party link|party=UKIP|list_votes=582|list_percentage=2.1|list_change={{up}}1.6}}

{{AMS election box with list party link|party=A Better Britain – Unionist Party|list_votes=341|list_percentage=1.2|list_change=New}}

{{AMS election box with list party link|party=Animal Welfare Party|list_votes=224|list_percentage=0.8|list_change=New}}

{{AMS election box with list party link|party=Scottish Christian Party|list_votes=212|list_percentage=0.8|list_change={{steady}}0.0}}

{{AMS election box with list party link|party=RISE – Scotland's Left Alliance|list_votes=185|list_percentage=0.7|list_change=New}}

{{AMS election box with list party link|party=Women's Equality Party|list_votes=158|list_percentage=0.6|list_change=New}}

{{AMS election box independent|party=Independent (politician)|candidate=Andrew McCullagh|list_votes=25|list_percentage=0.1|list_change=New}}

{{AMS election box majority|votes=6,482|percentage=23.2|change=N/A}}

{{AMS election box valid votes|votes=27,943|list_votes=28,064}}

{{AMS election box invalid votes|votes=142|list_votes=69}}

{{AMS election box turnout|votes=28,085|percentage=45.8|change={{increase}}6.3|list_votes=28,133|list_percentage=45.9|list_change={{increase}}6.4}}

{{AMS election box gain||winner=Scottish National Party|loser=Labour and Co-operative Party|swing={{increase}}13.0}}

{{AMS election box end|notes=yes}}

File:Humza Yousaf's family at the Court of Session.jpg in Edinburgh, 2023 (from left to right; his step-daughter, himself, his wife, Nadia, and mother Shaaista)]]

Yousaf was married to former SNP worker Gail Lythgoe from 2010 to 2016.{{cite news |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/snp-activist-caught-fake-leaflet-row-1633103 |title=SNP activist caught up in 'fake leaflet' row |website=The Scotsman |date=17 April 2012 |access-date=27 June 2020 |archive-date=3 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803204541/https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/snp-activist-caught-fake-leaflet-row-1633103 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.holyrood.com/inside-politics/view,journey-of-discovery-interview-with-humza-yousaf_7954.htm |title=Journey of discovery: interview with Humza Yousaf |last=McLaughlin |first=Mark |date=4 October 2019 |website=Holyrood Website |access-date=27 June 2020 |archive-date=1 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301153351/https://www.holyrood.com/inside-politics/view,journey-of-discovery-interview-with-humza-yousaf_7954.htm |url-status=live}} In 2019, he married psychotherapist Nadia El-Nakla and has one child and one stepchild.{{cite web |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/dundee/998673/dundee-case-worker-married-to-justice-secretary-shares-heartbreak-after-three-miscarriages/ |title=Dundee case worker married to justice secretary shares heartbreak after three miscarriages |first=Paul |last=Malik |date=14 October 2019 |work=The Courier |access-date=27 June 2020 |archive-date=3 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003002338/https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/dundee/998673/dundee-case-worker-married-to-justice-secretary-shares-heartbreak-after-three-miscarriages/ |url-status=live}} In March 2024, the couple announced that they were expecting another child.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-68445796|title=Humza Yousaf and wife expecting baby in July|work=BBC News|date=1 March 2024|access-date=1 March 2024|archive-date=1 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301131112/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-68445796|url-status=live}}

In November 2016, Yousaf was fined £300 and had six penalty points added to his driving licence, after being caught by police driving a friend's car without being insured to drive it. Yousaf accepted full responsibility, saying: "I totally accept the decision. I paid the fine and told my insurers about the points. This was an honest mistake, and the result of my personal circumstances during my separation."{{cite news |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/14952681.snp-transport-minister-humza-yousaf-blames-marriage-split-for-driving-without-insurance/ |title=SNP Transport Minister Humza Yousaf blames marriage split for driving without insurance |last=Gordon |first=Tom |date=8 December 2016 |work=The Herald |access-date=1 March 2020 |archive-date=10 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110015205/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/14952681.snp-transport-minister-humza-yousaf-blames-marriage-split-for-driving-without-insurance/ |url-status=live}}

He and his second wife made a complaint of discrimination against a Dundee children's nursery that did not offer a place to their daughter in 2021. The complaint was upheld by the Care Inspectorate who found that the nursery "did not promote fairness, equality and respect" in terms of its admission policy.{{cite news |date=3 November 2021 |title=Humza Yousaf complaint against Dundee nursery upheld |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-59150355 |access-date=24 March 2022 |archive-date=24 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324203411/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-59150355 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |date=3 November 2021 |title=Scottish minister's complaint against nursery upheld by inspectors |last=Carrell |first=Severin |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/nov/03/scottish-minister-humza-yousaf-complaint-against-nursery-upheld-inspectors |access-date=24 March 2022 |website=The Guardian |archive-date=24 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324203405/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/nov/03/scottish-minister-humza-yousaf-complaint-against-nursery-upheld-inspectors |url-status=live}} The legal action was subsequently terminated by Yousaf and Nadia.{{cite news |date=7 February 2023 |title=Nursery boss says Humza Yousaf's wife has 'terminated' legal action |last=Bussey |first=Katrine |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/humza-yousaf-scottish-health-secretary-dundee-snp-scotland-b2277490.html |access-date=26 March 2023 |website=The independent |archive-date=27 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327183307/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/humza-yousaf-scottish-health-secretary-dundee-snp-scotland-b2277490.html |url-status=live}}

On 9 October 2023, Yousaf announced that his wife's parents were "stuck" in the Gaza Strip following the Gaza war.{{cite news|date=9 October 2023 |title=Scottish first Minister's parents in-law trapped in Gaza |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-middle-east-67050350?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=65240d3e364b3f1612ec42b7%26Scottish%20first%20minister%27s%20parents%20in-law%20%27trapped%20in%20Gaza%27%262023-10-09T14%3A58%3A41.054Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:07301e3d-fcb6-4bab-94e7-2f8df36c4ae6&pinned_post_asset_id=65240d3e364b3f1612ec42b7&pinned_post_type=share |access-date=9 October 2023 |website=BBC |archive-date=13 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013163208/https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-middle-east-67050350?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=65240d3e364b3f1612ec42b7&Scottish%20first%20minister%27s%20parents%20in-law%20%27trapped%20in%20Gaza%27&2023-10-09T14%3A58%3A41.054Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn%3Aasset%3A07301e3d-fcb6-4bab-94e7-2f8df36c4ae6&pinned_post_asset_id=65240d3e364b3f1612ec42b7&pinned_post_type=share |url-status=live }} On 5 November, they were able to return to Scotland.{{cite news |last=Bonar|first=Megan|date=5 November 2023 |title=Humza Yousaf's in-laws who were trapped in Gaza arrive back in Scotland |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-67326706 |access-date=1 December 2023 |website=BBC |archive-date=29 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129204655/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-67326706 |url-status=live }}

On 17 July 2024, Yousaf announced the birth of his daughter, Liyana Jenin Yousaf.{{Cite tweet |number=1813644674474643754 |user=HumzaYousaf |title=Welcome to the world Liyana Jenin Yousaf, we are in love. ... We give thanks to God for blessing our family with a new addition. |first=Humza |last=Yousaf |date=17 July 2024 |access-date=2024-09-22}}

Yousaf was sworn in as a member of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom on 17 May 2023 at Buckingham Palace.{{cite web |url=https://privycouncil.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2023-05-17-List-of-Business.pdf |title=ORDERS APPROVED AND BUSINESS TRANSACTED AT THE PRIVY COUNCIL HELD BY THE KING AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE ON 17TH MAY 2023 |last=Tilbrook |first=Richard |date=17 May 2023 |website=The Privy Council Office |access-date=22 May 2023 |archive-date=18 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518115232/https://privycouncil.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2023-05-17-List-of-Business.pdf |url-status=live }} Membership of the privy council is lifelong and members are addressed as "The Right Honourable".{{Cite web |date=30 March 2021 |title=Privy council |url=https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/article/explainer/privy-council |access-date=2023-09-24 |website=Institute for Government |language=en |archive-date=28 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928131614/https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/article/explainer/privy-council |url-status=live }}

• List of British Pakistanis
• List of First Ministers of Scotland
• List of ethnic minority politicians in the United Kingdom

{{reflist|refs=

{{cite news |date=19 June 2023 |title=Humza Yousaf unveils plan for written constitution for Scotland |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-65948652 |access-date=2023-08-01 |archive-date=20 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920175301/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-65948652 |url-status=live }}

{{cite news |date=27 July 2023 |title=Humza Yousaf reveals Scots citizenship and passport plan |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-66312190 |access-date=2023-08-01 |archive-date=20 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920175233/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-66312190 |url-status=live }}

}}

{{commons category}}

{{Wikiquote}}

• {{official|https://www.humzayousaf.org}}
• {{SP-MSP}}
• [https://www.snp.org/people/humza-yousaf Scottish National Party profile]

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| before = Johann Lamont

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{{s-ttl

| title = Member of the Scottish Parliament
for Glasgow Pollok

| years = 2016–present

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{{s-bef

| before = Nicola Sturgeon

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{{s-ttl

| title = Leader of the Scottish National Party

| years = 2023–2024

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{{s-off}}

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| as = Minister for Transport and Islands

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| title = Minister for Transport and the Islands

| years = 2016–2018

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| after = Paul Wheelhouse

| as = Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands

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{{s-bef

| before = Michael Matheson

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{{s-ttl

| title = Cabinet Secretary for Justice

| years = 2018–2021

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{{s-aft

| after = Keith Brown

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{{s-bef

| before = Jeane Freeman

| as = Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport

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{{s-ttl

| title = Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care

| years = 2021–2023

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{{s-aft

| after = Michael Matheson

| as = Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care

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|-

{{s-bef

| before = Nicola Sturgeon

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{{s-ttl

| title = First Minister of Scotland

| years = 2023–2024

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{{s-aft

| after = John Swinney

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|-

{{s-prec|sc}}

{{s-bef

| before = Rishi Sunak

| as = Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

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{{s-ttl

| title = Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland

| years = 2023–2024

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{{s-aft

| after = Alison Johnstone

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{{s-end}}{{Humza Yousaf}}{{Scottish First Ministers}}

{{Scottish National Party}}

{{SNP MSPs}}

{{Glasgow MSPs}}{{COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories}}{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Yousaf, Humza}}

Category:1985 births

Category:Living people

Category:Alumni of the University of Glasgow

Category:Anti-white racism

Category:First ministers of Scotland

Category:Health ministers of Scotland

Category:Justice ministers of Scotland

Category:Leaders of the Scottish National Party

Category:Members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom

Category:Members of the Scottish Cabinet

Category:Members of the Scottish Parliament 2011–2016

Category:Members of the Scottish Parliament 2016–2021

Category:Members of the Scottish Parliament 2021–2026

Category:Members of the Scottish Parliament for Glasgow constituencies

Category:People educated at Hutchesons' Grammar School

Category:Politicians from Glasgow

Category:Scottish LGBTQ rights activists

Category:Scottish Muslims

Category:Scottish National Party MSPs

Category:Scottish nationalists

Category:Scottish people of Pakistani descent

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Category:Scottish republicans