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Calls to increase number of Muslim MSPs at next year's Holyrood election
Holyrood.Nearly 40 groups have signed an open letter to party leaders after an inquiry flagged up Islamophobia in public life.Jawad Khursheed, chair of Muslim Engagement and Development Scotland (MEND), said: “The need for fair representation within the Scottish political system is essential.”A probe by a Scottish Parliament cross-party group found that 83% of Muslims had experienced Islamophobia in Scotland.Nearly 80% of Muslim respondents felt the prejudice is getting worse, while a joint University study found Islamophobia is a deterrent for young Muslims engaging in the political process.Of the 129 MSPs at Holyrood, two - Labour’s Anas Sarwar and SNP Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf - are from Muslim backgrounds.The open letter states: