JOHN Swinney has said there is "no place for race-based or faith-based violence" in Scotland following a series of suspected anti-Muslim attacks in Edinburgh.
A 36-year-old white Scottish man has been charged after the incidents in the Scottish capital on Friday night which left five people injured.
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 organisation Muslim Engagement and Development (Mend) said that several of those injured are Muslim, while the Scottish Association of Mosques (SAM) said that two of the injured men were attacked after attending prayers at their local mosque.
Counter-terrorism police are investigating the incident and there is no wider threat to the public, police said, with patrols increasing in the area.
The First Minister has been briefed on the incident by Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton, alongside Justice Secretary Neil Gray and Equalities Minister Simita Kumar.
The Scottish Government said both it and Police Scotland remain actively engaged with wider faith groups to ensure that appropriate safety measures are in place, and that communities "remain supported and assured".
The First Minister is due to meet with members of the Muslim community on Monday, where he will "stress his solidarity" and provide assurance that "the Scottish Government will continue to stand united against all forms of violence, division and prejudice".
Commenting on Sunday, Swinney said: “There is no place for race-based or faith-based violence in Scotland. My thoughts are with all who have been impacted - the victims but also the communities who are understandably anxious by what happened.
“We must all stand united in utter condemnation of the heinous attack that took place in Edinburgh. Anti-Muslim hatred is abhorrent, and we must not allow recent attempts to stoke fear to divide us."
The First Minister continued: “Everyone who lives in Scotland – those that were born here and those that have decided to make Scotland their home – epitomise Scotland’s values of hope, tolerance and solidarity. These are values that must be cherished, nurtured and protected. We must all come together to ensure that.
“I am grateful to Police Scotland for the continued work they are undertaking to ensure communities feel safe and supported. I want to reassure communities that my government will lead from the front in tackling all forms of violence, division and prejudice.”
