Scottish authorities will take a “zero tolerance approach” to anyone that encourages hate crimes against the Moslem community, Alex Salmond said yesterday.
The first minister was responding to a question at Holyrood from Aberdeen Central MSP Kevin Stewart on the potential fall out from revelations this week about former city resident Abdul Rakib Amin.
The ex-pupil of St Machar Academy appeared in a recruitment video for extremist Islamic group Isis.
Mr Stewart said the clip “shocked” the Moslem community in Aberdeen and the wider city. He asked Mr Salmond to join him in calling on all Aberdonians to continue “as good neighbours in peace and solidarity”.
The first minister said the actions of one man did not reflect mainstream opinion in Scotland.
The Aberdeenshire East MSP added: “One of the purposes of extremism is to seek to divide communities.
“Radicalisation is something that we have been and continue to be vigilant about.
“Police Scotland has been very active in monitoring that, but also proactive in engaging with and building strong relationships with the Moslem community.
“The reactions of any individual must not be seen as reflecting in any way mainstream opinion in any community of Scotland.
“We know from experience how well this country can react to such challenges, as the integrated community response to the attack on Glasgow Airport in 2007 showed Scotland at its very best.
“I believe all fair-minded people in Aberdeen and across the country will support our zero-tolerance approach to any attempt to demonise or encourage hate crime against the Moslem community, or indeed any other minority group in Scotland.”
Amin moved with his family from Bangladesh to Aberdeen’s Froghall area when he was aged 10.
He spent two years at Sunnybank Primary School then moved to St Machar Academy.
After Amin completed his second year at the academy, his father moved him back to Bangladesh because – according to his friend – he was becoming “too Westernised”.