Muslim Scottish MP takes oath in Urdu

In an emphatic demonstration of British multiculturalism, a Muslim politician elected to Scottish parliament delivered his oath of allegiance in Urdu while wearing a kilt.

Holyrood's MSPs have been sworn in for the fifth session of the Scottish Parliament.

SNP MSP for Glasgow Pollok Humza Yousaf was the final member to be sworn in and he also took the oath in Urdu (as well as English), reflecting his Pakistani heritage.

.@HumzaYousaf just gave his swearing in oath in Urdu. Look how great it sounds: pic.twitter.com/mvPqRucslx

— Siraj Datoo (@dats) May 12, 2016

Yousaf was not the only politician to take the oath in another language: Other members of Scottish parliament spoke in local tongues such as Doric, Gaelic and Scots.

All 129 members took the oath or made a solemn affirmation in the parliament’s chamber, with outgoing Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick overseeing proceedings.

umza Yousaf, a member of the Scottish National Party who won a seat from the city of Glasgow, spoke first in English and then in the language linked to his Pakistani heritage, swearing "that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth" and concluding with "so help me God."

But some people on Twitter didn't like it one bit.

Tarek Fatah wrote: "The new face of leftwing Scottish National Party @theSNP. @HumzaYousaf with his Islamist family of Sharia-Bolsheviks."

‏@Nick_1683 wrote: "***king disgrace this is not Pakistan @dats @HumzaYousaf"

Brian Speer wrote: "Humza Yousaf is a privately educated, paid US internship graduate, govt minister & career politician. Cries like a victim."

But that didn't seem to faze the MP. Yousaf laughed off the predictable backlash to his oath from those fearful of the role of Islam in British society.

He wrote back: "Wait a min, you serious, this is *not* Pakistan? You must be kidding, seen how much curry Scotland devours..?"

There were others showinig support to the new MP.

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