Scotland’s authorities will take a “zero tolerance” approach to attempts to demonise Muslims after an Aberdeen man appeared in a terrorist recruitment video, Alex Salmond said today.
The First Minister told MSPs that police are “actively monitoring” the threat of radicalisation in Scotland after the video, There Is No Life Without Jihad, emerged on Friday. It was posted by accounts linked to Isis and featured Abdul Rakib Amin, 25, who was raised in the Granite City.
North East MSP Kevin Stewart said the video “shocked” the city’s Muslim community during First Minister Questions today and said the actions of one individual should “not reflect an entire community”.
Mr Salmond said: “I wholeheartedly agree with that as I believe the whole chamber agrees with that. “The purpose of extremism is to seek to divide communities. Radicalisation is something that we have been and continue to be vigilant about.
“Police Scotland have been very active in monitoring that, but also active of course in engaging with and building strong relationships with the Muslim community. However the actions of any individual should not and 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 Glasgow airport attack in 2007 showed Scotland at its very best.
“All fair-minded people in Aberdeen and across the country will support our zero tolerance approach to any attempt to demonise the Muslim community or indeed any other minority group.”