EDINBURGH MSPs have issued statements calling out a series of "horrific" suspected anti-Muslim attacks which left five people injured in the capital.
Scottish Green MSPs Q Manivannan, Kayleigh Kinross-O'Neill, Kate Nevens and Lorna Slater have come together to strongly condemn the attacks and are calling on the Scottish Government to engage with Muslim groups to protect communities.
SNP MSP, Ben Macpherson, also outlined his shock and sympathies for those affected.
On Friday, police received multiple calls from members of the public concerning threats, robbery and vandalism across the capital.
Videos on social media appeared to show a man with a knife in the street, while another video appeared to show a topless man on the ground shouting that he is “protecting the country” as he is held by an officer.
Five men, two aged 22 and others aged 24, 27 and 39, sustained a range of injuries, with three requiring hospital treatment. The incidents happened across the areas of Sighthill, Telford Road and Leith Walk.
The organisation Muslim Engagement and Development (Mend) said that several of those injured are Muslim. Officers confirmed late on Saturday evening that a white Scottish man had been charged.
Issuing a statement, the four MSPs, who represent Edinburgh on both the constituency and regional list, wrote: “The attacks in Edinburgh were horrific, and our thoughts are with those who have been injured and their loved ones. We thank the emergency services for their quick response to this act of violence and for their engagement over this weekend.
“Many people across our city will be feeling shocked and frightened. Our Muslim communities in particular will be feeling a lot of anxiety and hurt. Our hearts and solidarity are with them, and with everyone who has been made to feel less safe.
“Nobody should be attacked because of who they are, the colour of their skin, or the faith they follow. Edinburgh is a proudly welcoming and diverse city, shaped by people of different backgrounds, faiths and cultures, and it always will be. The kindness and joy we saw only yesterday at Pride was a reflection of that."
They went on to say that incidents like those seen in Edinburgh "do not happen in isolation" but are the result of hatred "being allowed to spread and take root".
The MSPs added: “The video of the attacker’s arrest is chilling. The words he shouts are the same hateful tropes that have been circulated online, appeared in parts of our media, and increasingly found their way into political debate. It is a hatred that has been whipped up and amplified by algorithms and by powerful voices.
“We all have a responsibility not just to reject it but to challenge it wherever we encounter it."
They continued: “Those responsible for spreading such hatred want to turn our communities against each other and force people to live in fear. We cannot allow that to happen. Edinburgh is stronger than hate. We will stand together as a community, united against those who seek to spread fear and division.”
“We urge the Scottish Government to prioritise engaging with communities of colour, Muslim communities and migrant communities in Edinburgh to determine what additional support and protection measures need to be put in place."
Macpherson said: "The horrific attacks that took place on Friday were utterly appalling.
"My thoughts are with the people who've been hurt and everyone affected. I’m also grateful to the police for their response to the situation, and their ongoing engagement locally.
“Leith is one of the most diverse, vibrant places in our country. For decades, it has been a place where people from different backgrounds, faiths and cultures live side by side, positively and peacefully, with respect, care, and kindness.
"We will not allow violence or extremism to divide us or stoke fear - we’re too strong in our diversity for that. The people of Leith are responding by showing solidarity with all of our diverse communities - and I have been in touch with our local Muslim leaders and am actively working to support them.
"We can all help to stand up for our diverse society by calling out any far-right rhetoric and being proactively anti-racist. Hatred has no place in Leith, Edinburgh or anywhere else in Scotland."
