Edinburgh united against the hate mongers - Foysol Choudhury
No one should leave their place of worship fearing they may not make it home safely. Yet that is the reality members of Edinburgh’s Muslim community faced following the recent series of appalling attacks that left innocent people injured simply because of their faith.
These attacks were not only an assault on those individuals. They were an attack on the values that define Edinburgh and Scotland: respect, equality, freedom of religion and the belief that everyone should be able to live their lives without fear.
During my five years in the Scottish Parliament, community safety was always one of my priorities.
As chair of the Cross Party Group on Challenging Racial and Religious Prejudice, I worked closely with Police Scotland, faith leaders, community organisations, academics and equality groups to promote understanding, challenge discrimination and strengthen relationships between communities.
I have always believed that preventing hatred requires more than words. It requires leadership, partnership and a shared commitment from all parts of society.
Police Scotland should be properly funded. Our officers are expected to deal with increasingly complex challenges, including terrorism, organised crime, hate crime, cybercrime, violence against women and girls and the protection of vulnerable people. They cannot continue to be asked to do more with fewer resources. Proper investment in policing is an investment in safer communities.
The professionalism shown by Police Scotland throughout this investigation deserves the highest praise. Officers responded swiftly, carried out a thorough investigation and worked tirelessly to identify and arrest a suspect.
The involvement of specialist counter terrorism officers demonstrated that every available resource would be used to investigate these serious allegations thoroughly. Their dedication and professionalism should give reassurance to every community across Edinburgh and Scotland.
I know from my own experience working alongside Police Scotland over many years that officers put themselves in harm’s way every day to keep the public safe. They deserve our gratitude, our respect and the resources necessary to carry out their responsibilities effectively.
What has also given me hope is the overwhelming response from the people of Edinburgh.
In the days following these attacks, faith leaders, community organisations, elected representatives and residents from every background stood alongside the victims and their families. They sent a clear message that those who seek to spread fear and division will never succeed.
This is the true character of Edinburgh. We are a city built on diversity, where people from different cultures, faiths and backgrounds live, work, study and contribute together.
The Muslim community has made an enormous contribution to our city’s success through business, healthcare, education, public service, charity and civic life. An attack on one community is an attack on us all.
We must continue to challenge Islamophobia, racism, antisemitism and every form of hatred wherever it appears.
Scotland has earned an international reputation as an open, welcoming and inclusive nation. We must never take that reputation for granted.
Hatred seeks to divide. Edinburgh chose unity. Violence seeks to create fear. Our communities responded with compassion.
Extremism seeks to isolate people because of their faith. Scotland answered by standing together.
The true story of these events is not one of hatred. It is one of resilience, justice and solidarity. That is the Edinburgh I know. That is the Scotland I love. And that is the future we must continue to build together.