Humza Haroon Yousaf is a notable figure in Scottish politics, serving as First Minister of Scotland and Leader of the Scottish National Party from March 2023 to May 2024.
Before serving as First Minister, he held prominent positions in the Scottish Government, serving as Justice Secretary from 2018 to 2021 and Health Secretary from 2021 to 2023.
Yousaf’s ascension to the position of First Minister is of particular significance, as he is the youngest person, the first Scottish-Asian and the first Muslim to hold this esteemed position.
His diverse background and youthful outlook have brought new impetus to Scottish politics and are widely recognized as a valuable asset in leading the country.
File
- Full name: Humza Haroon Yousaf
- Stage name: Humza Yousaf
- Date of birth: April 7, 1985
- Age: 39 years old
- Birthplace: Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire, Scotland
- Nationality: Scottish
- Occupation: Member of the Scottish Parliament
- Height: Unknown
- Parents: Mian Muzaffar Yousaf Arain and Shaaista Bhutta
- Siblings: Faiza Yousaf
- Spouse: Nadia El-Nakla (m. 2019)
- Children: Amal and Maya
- Relationship: Married
- Net worth: Unknown
Early life and education
Humza Haroon Yousaf was born on 7 April 1985 in Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire, Scotland. His parents are Mian Muzaffar Yousaf Arain and Shaaista Bhutta.
His father was born in Mian Channu, Punjab, Pakistan and migrated to the UK in the 1960s to work as an accountant. His mother was born in Nairobi, Kenya, to a family of Pakistani-Punjabi descent.
Yousaf has a sister named Faiza Yousaf. He attended Mearns Primary School in East Renfrewshire and was privately educated at Hutchesons Grammar School in Glasgow, where his interest in politics was piqued through his Modern Studies lessons.
Yousaf studied politics at the University of Glasgow, where he was President of the Glasgow University Muslim Students’ Association. He graduated in 2007 with a Master of Arts (MA). Humza Yousaf’s ethnicity is Pakistani and he is Muslim.
Career
Yousaf began his political career as a grassroots activist, participating in community projects and youth organizations. He joined the Scottish National Party (SNP) in 2004, attracted by their vision of an independent Scotland. In 2007, he began working as parliamentary assistant to Bashir Ahmad, the first Muslim elected to the Scottish Parliament.
Yousaf was elected to the Scottish Parliament as an additional member for the Glasgow area in 2011 at the age of 26. In 2016, he won the Glasgow Pollok constituency, becoming the first ethnic minority MSP directly elected to an electoral district.
From 2014 to 2018, he played a key role in Scotland’s international relations. He then served as Justice Cabinet Secretary from 2018 to 2021, responsible for law and order in Scotland.
From 2021 to 2023, Yousaf leads the Scottish Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and oversees healthcare reforms. Following Nicola Sturgeon’s resignation in February 2023, Yousaf was elected as the new leader of the SNP and became Scotland’s sixth First Minister on 28 March 2023.
During his tenure as First Minister, Yousaf faced significant challenges, including internal party divisions, falling poll numbers and a strained relationship with the Scottish Green Party. On 7 May 2024, he resigned as First Minister and leader of the SNP, citing a toxic political environment and personal reasons.
Yousaf’s election as First Minister is a historic moment. He became the second Muslim to lead a major British political party and the first person of color to hold the position.
He oversaw notable reforms in Scotland’s healthcare system. He plays a key role in promoting Scotland’s interests internationally, particularly on climate change and human rights.
Social Media
- Instagram handle: @sh_hamzayusuf
- Facebook manager: Humza Yousaf
- Twitter name: @humzayousaf
Personal life
Humza Yousaf is a Scottish politician who has led the Scottish National Party (SNP) and has been First Minister of Scotland since 2023. He is married to Nadia El-Nakla, a psychotherapist and political activist, and councilor on Dundee City Council.
Yousaf and El-Nakla married in 2019 and have two daughters, Amal and Maya. Amal is their biological child, while Maya is Yousaf’s stepdaughter from a previous relationship.
Net worth
Humza Yousaf’s exact net worth is private information. As First Minister of Scotland, a civil servant, his main income is derived from his government salary.
However, the public was not given specific details about his salary or any additional sources of income.
