E-Paper | October 25, 2026

Wearing a kilt, Muslim Scottish MP takes oath in Urdu

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GLASGOW: The video of a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) taking oath went viral on Friday.

Humza Yousaf, MSP for Glasgow Pollok from the Scottish National Party (SNP), first took the oath of allegiance in English and then in Urdu, as other members gave their oath in Doric, Gaelic and Scots as well as English.

Watch the video below:

Yousaf proudly paid homage to his roots with his outfit as well as his language, pairing a traditional Scottish kilt with a sherwani jacket.

Yousaf marked the occasion with family, who attended the ceremony.

As the video went viral, though, Yousuf also received a storm of Islamophobia and racial slurs on social media.

Which he handled with good humour.

And pointed out the selective bigotry

Members may give an oath or affirmation, a version of the oath without religious reference, in English as well as other languages.

According to the oath, members "swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, so help me God".

On the other hand, the affirmation has members "solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth".

The SNP, which is centre left and social democratic, is Scotland's largest political party and currently in power.

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SAEED MASOOD
May 14, 2016 03:37pm
Good for him and good for Scotland...
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Liberal Overseas
May 14, 2016 03:57pm
every country should have diversity. I would support a non native Pakistani as an MPA provided transparency and fair election
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Shahryar Shirazi
May 14, 2016 04:01pm
@SAEED MASOOD Not really. This is shows they are not willing to integrate in the society.
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Mark
May 14, 2016 04:15pm
This is not Pakistan .....Integrate in UK society and keep religion private. Lear from Sadiq Khan
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Abdulla Hussain
May 14, 2016 04:23pm
@Liberal Overseas : May be you have not heard about supreme court judge & Ex-Chief Justice Rana Bhagwandas, several MPA are also from minority community.
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Karachitee
May 14, 2016 04:42pm
@Mark Agreed 100%
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Lafanga
May 14, 2016 05:10pm
Two thumbs up for Hamza Yousuf. There are more good people on this planet then bad. Be strong.
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Skeptic
May 14, 2016 05:17pm
And some wonder why some European countries are putting up fences, closing borders or enacting laws to keep migrants out, or to expel some! Goes to prove, you can take a Pakistani out of Pakistan, but not a Pakistan out of a Pakistani. BTW, you have to ask, when his family was seeking to emigrate to the UK, did they submit their visa application at the British Embassy in Pakistan in Urdu, or English?
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Changez_Khan
May 14, 2016 05:28pm
Congratulations Humza Yousaf, you are a Scottish first and Pakistani second. Good luck.
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fida USA
May 14, 2016 05:28pm
Can a Hindu or Christian Pakistani get elected to the Assemblies without resorting to a minority ticket.
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Ali Vazir
May 14, 2016 05:43pm
So delighted to find a breath of fresh air. Bravo Yusaf! Keep up the good work and make us prouder.
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M.Aslam Shehzad
May 14, 2016 05:44pm
I admire your courage to wear a Kilt but you should also inspire your female muslim fellows to confirm to the Scottish dress norms. They can wear a nice dress confirming to islamic values but not a Hijab! I have nothing against Hijab. But as they say while in Rome, do as the Romans do. In Urdu we also say, Jaisa Des Waisa Best! Don't let other people mock you! They are accepting you as one of them so you must show your respect for them as well.
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feroze parsi
May 14, 2016 05:51pm
pakistanis should understand that if you people keep religion and customs as private and assimilate in the cultures of the country which gave you opportunity to live and excel it will be a great return thanks for that country.how will pakistani citizens feel if a scottish guy is given citizenship in pakistan and also given a ticket to contest in elections will wear scottish dress in pak parliament and takes oath wrt scottish customs.
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Harmony-1©
May 14, 2016 06:11pm
@Shahryar Shirazi - Read the news he gave oath in English too....other members gave their oath in Doric, Gaelic and Scots as well as English. If Urdu is spoken (like Doric, Gaelic) in some families then why not? He is showing integration too by wearing a kilt.
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Farooq Jawed
May 14, 2016 06:33pm
While this guy is showing pride for his adopted country, by embracing its culture, wearing Kilt and participating in the political process . At the same time he is also honoring his country of birth by taking oath in Urdu. On the other hand folks in Pakistan are busy trying to gratuitously communicate in English to show off on the expense of their mother tongue(s) of Urdu, Sindhi, Punjabi, Balochi etc. ..........ironic I'd say.
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TKhan
May 14, 2016 06:36pm
Congratulations. Good job Humza.
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Moona
May 14, 2016 06:38pm
Congratulations. These days Britain is looking a lot better than the US.
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Satt
May 14, 2016 06:45pm
By the way the scotts allowed you in Urdu but try taking oath in Pakistan in native language like Sindhi,Punjabi,Pashto and Balochi than see what these proud Pakistanis do which are feeling proud a man taking oath in Urdu.
Recommend 0
Rao
May 14, 2016 06:58pm
@M.Aslam Shehzad You are right,
Recommend 0
jehanzeb
May 14, 2016 07:12pm
whats a connection between Muslim and Urdu ?
Recommend 0
Omar
May 14, 2016 07:31pm
while this is all nice and interesting, I feel there was no need to take the oath in Urdu. You don't always have to wear your pride on your chest. We as Pakistani's should show that we can integrate while at the same time remain true to our Pakistani routes.
Recommend 0
global citizen
May 14, 2016 07:33pm
diversity in scotland, social democracy is the way forward!
Recommend 0
Abbas
May 14, 2016 07:48pm
What a shame that Pakistan still has to produce equality for Pakistani Christians as it exists for Muslims in democratic Christian countries.
Recommend 0
Muzaffar Qureshi
May 14, 2016 08:06pm
From Canada: Well done Humza Yousuf. Wish you all the best.
Recommend 0
Shoaib
May 14, 2016 08:21pm
Misrepresenting Pakistan with those scarves :(
Recommend 0
Saulat Haider
May 14, 2016 09:00pm
Credit goes to Scottish society that encourage diversity, tolerance and give equal opportunities to everyone in their community. Well Done Scottish. You are making the world better.
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Zak
May 14, 2016 09:11pm
Pakistanis make us so proud where ever they excel. He took his oath in Urdu as well. And salute to the British democratic system, a true democracy.
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Fayaz ahmad
May 14, 2016 09:28pm
@Mark he was allowed to do so bcoz others did in their local language however I don't see it right for anyone to do other than the national language. But I think I m wrong
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Silajit
May 14, 2016 09:54pm
Learn to integrate!
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Yemeen ul Islam Zubri
May 14, 2016 09:55pm
But our PM and other dignitaries who think in Urdu but try English at every forum.
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P. S. Natarajan
May 14, 2016 09:57pm
A stupid act !
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Sunil Mehta
May 14, 2016 10:32pm
I am happy to see South Asians taking up politics as a career. It should help bridge the gap between immigrants and natives.
Recommend 0
a
May 14, 2016 11:06pm
@Abdulla Hussain We have heard of Justice Bhagwan Dass. But thats too miniscule.
Recommend 0
mba
May 14, 2016 11:32pm
My Congratulations to Mr. Humza Yousaf and also to a courageous new society,
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zeemak
May 14, 2016 11:51pm
@Changez_Khan No, he is not a Pakistani, but a Scottish with a Pakistani heritage. His main identity is Scottish muslim and he is proud of it.
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Ashraf Quli
May 15, 2016 12:05am
Living in the UK and enjoying the privileges given to him by that country, but taking oath in Urdu. Why? It seems he is trying to prove that he is more cultured and pious being of the Pakistani origin. Isn't it kind of a show off, and a disgraceful attitude towards the host country?
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Ashraf Quli
May 15, 2016 12:30am
@Harmony-1© Doric, Gaelic and Scots are dialects spoken in Scotland. Urdu is a Pakistani and Indian language, and has nothing to do with Scotland
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Faisal
May 15, 2016 01:00am
Had he born in Pakistan he would not got fair opportunity like he did In Scotland
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Ashutosh Mishra
May 15, 2016 01:20am
This guy has spine and is clear headed!! I loved his rendering of the oath!!!
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Ashutosh Mishra
May 15, 2016 01:21am
@Moona you said it.
Recommend 0
Layman
May 15, 2016 01:23am
@Mark, does he needs people like you to tell him what to do? I have been to Scotland and it's one of the best country to live and work.
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Max
May 15, 2016 01:33am
Absolutely no need to take oath in Urdu. If you are claiming to be a Scottish, then adopt their language as well. you have already adopted their dress code then whats wrong with language, don't you use English for your day to day activities out of your house....
Recommend 0
Alla Bux
May 15, 2016 01:42am
@SAEED MASOOD Why is it good for Scotland?
Recommend 0
Worth_Commenting
May 15, 2016 02:53am
@Shahryar Shirazi They are more integrated than you will ever be, my brother! Participating and then winning a parliamentary seat in a host nation is the highest form of integration one can ever achieve. Try doing that :) And if you fail, then please review your conclusion as well.
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Safwan
May 15, 2016 02:55am
@Satt Dude what are you talking about? Oaths in native languages are the norm in PK.
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Worth_Commenting
May 15, 2016 03:00am
@M.Aslam Shehzad Wrong. This is what you Pakistanis do not understand. You do not understand that you do not have to give up your values to "integrate" as long as you do not harm them. When will you backward people learn this??
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Worth_Commenting
May 15, 2016 03:03am
@Satt You are certainly a clueless man! Nobody cares if a regional language is also accommodated. Can you ever see the positive side in a story, brothers??
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Mazhar
May 15, 2016 03:04am
@Abdulla Hussain They are/were Pakistani.
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Worth_Commenting
May 15, 2016 03:05am
@Shoaib Misrepresenting you may be!! There are many Muslims living in the West that choose to wear headscarves. What exactly is your problem? Grow some tolerance even if you do not like it. This is what it is all about.
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Worth_Commenting
May 15, 2016 03:06am
@Fayaz ahmad Yes, you are wrong Fayaz! Glad you realized.
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Mazhar
May 15, 2016 03:07am
@Harmony-1© He should give oath only in English, not Urdu which is forign language in Scotland.
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Kala Ingrez - کالا انگریز - काला अंग्रेज - কালো ইংরাজি
May 15, 2016 03:52am
The Pakistani statesmen should learn a lot from this humble guy and start out using Urdu.
Recommend 0
Kala Ingrez - کالا انگریز - काला अंग्रेज - কালো ইংরাজি
May 15, 2016 03:53am
@fida USA - where the hell you think he got elected from - the Pakistani area of the city.
Recommend 0
Sharjeel Zaim
May 15, 2016 04:50am
@Harmony-1© Will pakistanis allow anyone to take oath in pakistan in Hindi or Punjabi?!
Recommend 0
ms haque
May 15, 2016 05:57am
awesome in todays world of hating our own roots its an example for our own people who are in power or out of power Aam Awaam we shoukd take pride in using our mother tongue. good job bro
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Bakshi_Kanth
May 15, 2016 06:00am
Great. Make your country such that one day International people come and live Pakistan as their home.
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Crimemastergogo
May 15, 2016 07:31am
He's taking an oath as an MP in Scotland. He should have spoken in English. Would Pakistan allow an MP taking an oath in English?
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Crimemastergogo
May 15, 2016 07:32am
@Shahryar Shirazi Totally agree with you.
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UA
May 15, 2016 07:34am
@Omar And that's exactly what he did here, no. He took the oath in Urdu as well as English and he wore both a kilt and sherwani, a fusion of his Pakistani and Scottish heritage. And to those trying to put a religious spin on this, pray tell, how did he introduce religion into the matter?!
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Sohail Wazir
May 15, 2016 07:42am
Muslim especially Pakistanis are remarkable. Feeling so nice to read this news. :)
Recommend 0
Jawaid kamal
May 15, 2016 08:25am
@Moona why don't follow suit in Pakistan.
Recommend 0
M Mirza
May 15, 2016 08:49am
They don't take Oath in Urdu even in Land of the Pure.
Recommend 0
Anonymous
May 15, 2016 08:54am
@fida USA Yes absolutely, there is no law preventing an non Muslim individual from that. There may not be enough representation to elect that individual but that's the population demographics
Recommend 0
Hawkins
May 15, 2016 08:59am
Kudoz Hamza Yusuf so proud of you, make Scotland proud, make UK proud make Pakistanis proud. Good luc
Recommend 0
anon
May 15, 2016 10:08am
@Satt wise comment!!
Recommend 0
anon
May 15, 2016 10:09am
@global citizen please learn and emulate and make pak to a social democracy.
Recommend 0
Asad Raza
May 15, 2016 10:13am
@fida USA Yes, they have.
Recommend 0
SANJEEV KUMAR YADAV
May 15, 2016 10:44am
Can a Pakistani be citizen of KSA? Can he become mayor or any tiniest town there? Can he take oath in his mother language?
Recommend 0
Ashutosh Mishra
May 15, 2016 11:49am
He is completely sorted out. I heard him in Urdu and loved it!!!
Recommend 0
SDA
May 15, 2016 12:49pm
Bravo Yousaf Hamza. You have made all of us proud.
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Uneducated and poor
May 15, 2016 01:46pm
To all negative commenters who are anyway minority this is 21 st century and change yourselves to live with diversed communities to learn each other and live long life as negative people has short lives. Be wise and get educated.
Recommend 0
Harmony-1©
May 15, 2016 03:22pm
@Ashraf Quli - Wrong! Doric, Gaelic and Scots are proper languages. Dialects are within a same language. In English, the examples would be Geordie and Cockney!
Recommend 0
Tamil Guru
May 15, 2016 03:35pm
First of all, Congratulations Mr Humza Yousaf on your election. This makes South Asians, especially Pakistanis proud. This is a victory for secularism and democracy and nothing else.
Recommend 0
Karrar (Vancouver)
May 15, 2016 06:07pm
@M.Aslam Shehzad You literally took the words away from my mouth. 200 percent correct.
Recommend 0
JATT
May 15, 2016 07:02pm
He is a proud Scot and also he remembers his Pakistani ancestry and that is nice. Well done and good luck.
Recommend 0
Agha Ata
May 15, 2016 07:51pm
Wearing a kilt is a way to look smart especially in Scotland. We know that. But taking oath in Urdu is smarter. He wants everyone to know, he loves Scotland and Pakistan both.
Recommend 0
Euro
May 15, 2016 08:05pm
He lived educated in Scotland with english, and all his family applied at consulate in english to get visas. And now he uses Urdu which he hardly knows to satisfy the inner conscience to prove something special! And like many modern guys perhaps drink a beer or wear scotish or other dresses or partying etc is not a guarantie, like in Hamburg group where lies,deceptions and denials are the pillars of faith allowed against others
Recommend 0
Ashraf Quli
May 15, 2016 10:07pm
@Harmony-1© OK. Thanks.
Recommend 0
J USA
May 16, 2016 12:55am
@Harmony-1© What a justification
Recommend 0
Rishabh Jain
May 16, 2016 02:23am
Sheer brilliance.
Recommend 0
Azi
May 16, 2016 05:51am
Only if we had politicians like him and sadiq khan, Pakistan could be a nice place.
Recommend 0
Amer RAO
May 16, 2016 03:57pm
Congratulations.
Recommend 0
Hopeful
May 16, 2016 11:05pm
Good job
Recommend 0

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