SNP leadership frontrunner Humza Yousaf is grilled over gay marriage and religion

The Muslim politician who is being tipped to be the next SNP leader admitted yesterday that his religion is also opposed to gay marriage.

But Humza Yousaf promised Islam would not influence his politics if he became First Minister, insisting he “celebrates diversity”.

The Scottish Health Secretary’s comments came after former frontrunner Kate Forbes lost support for saying her Christian faith means she believes marriage should be between a man and a woman and that it is wrong to have babies out of wedlock to get.

Asked about her comments on Times Radio, Mr Yousaf said: “I couldn’t get on your program and tell you that I am able to change what Islam says about gay marriage or gay sex or anything is the mainstream Islamic view.

“I would be lying to your viewers if I said … everyone will know what the position of mainstream Islam is in this regard. But the question is, do people use the basis of their beliefs as laws? I didn’t do it, I wouldn’t do it, because I don’t think that’s the job of legislators or policy makers.

Humza Yousaf vowed that Islam would not influence his politics if he became First Minister and insisted he “celebrates diversity”. Pictured: Mr Yousaf speaks during portfolio questions at the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh February 22, 2023

Kate Forbes (pictured), the former leader in the leadership, lost support because she said her Christian faith means she believes marriage should be between a man and a woman

“I believe in a Scotland that celebrates differences, celebrates diversity, celebrates equality.

“I have been a minority in this country all my life, I know that my rights depend on the rights of everyone else. You start curtailing or pushing back people’s rights, then you do the same with my rights. So I’m someone who believes very strongly in progress and my track record and support of equality issues, including issues affecting our LGBT community, are well known.’

In an interview with Channel 4 News, Mr Yousaf described himself as a practicing Muslim and said he would soon observe Ramadan, but insisted he personally supported gay marriage. However, critics pointed out that he missed the crucial 2014 vote in the Scottish Parliament on legalizing gay marriage.

Mr. Yousaf, who is seen as a continuity candidate to succeed Nicola Sturgeon, supported her decision to defend the plan to allow people to self-identify as the opposite sex.

He said the Scottish Government should go to court to challenge Downing Street’s unprecedented decision to veto the Gender Recognition Reform Bill.

“Whether or not you agree with the GRR law, whether you agree with the content or not, is in some respects immaterial,” he added.

“It’s the principle, let’s give in when the UK Government wears the red pin for the first time. And if we give in, what message does that send to the British government?’ Meanwhile, Ms Forbes, a member of the Free Church of Scotland, was criticized by another SNP member for calling transgender rapist Isla Bryson a man.

Stewart Duncan said in a televised interview that the Treasury Secretary “should be suspended from the party following her openly transphobic behavior and intentional confusion with Isla Bryson.”

Mr. Yousaf (right), seen as a continuity candidate to succeed Nicola Sturgeon (left), supported her decision to defend the plan to allow people to self-identify as the opposite sex

Mr Yousaf has now become the bookmakers’ favorite to lead his party and government as the continuity candidate for Ms Sturgeon (pictured).

Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk