After Mamdani's win, this is what another history-making Muslim leader wants you to know
Scotland's former first minister, Humza Yousaf, tells Middle East Eye that a transatlantic alliance is in order
Former First Minister of Scotland Humza Yousaf speaks to MEE in downtown Washington, DC, on 6 November 2025 (Yasmine El-Sabawi/MEE)
By Yasmine El-Sabawi in Washington
Published date: 6 November 2025 21:58 GMT | Last update: 4 days 15 hours ago
Fresh off an eight hour flight from the UK to Washington, DC, on Wednesday, the man who became the first Muslim to lead a western nation greeted a small group of Muslim community members with this: "Zohran Mubarak".
The phrase - a play on the festive Eid greeting using the name of New York City's mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani, elicited cheers and applause.
But Humza Yousaf, the former leader of Scotland, wasn't just here on this pre-scheduled trip to celebrate the victory of a young, brown, progressive Muslim just like him. He had come to listen, impart advice and build networks.
"You are not guests of the west. You are building the west," he told the room of Mamdani's record-breaking election win just 24 hours earlier.
Yousaf was adamant that, despite institutionalised bullying, threats and loyalty tests, Muslim Americans cannot buckle under the weight of what he described as the mainstream embrace of the far right.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/after-mamdanis-win-what-another-history-making-muslim-leader-wants-you-know
