Condemnation of the Reported Racist Attack on Dr Zohaib Arshad in Falkirk

That the Parliament condemns in the strongest possible terms the reported racist attack on Dr Zohaib Arshad, a Falkirk resident and local businessman, on Grahams Road, Falkirk, on the evening of 20 July 2026; understands that Dr Arshad was subjected to racist abuse, physically assaulted and injured, and threatened with further violence against himself, his family and his business; considers that such appalling conduct has no place in Falkirk or anywhere in Scotland; is deeply concerned that 3,990 charges relating to race crime were reported in Scotland in 2025-26, representing an increase of 17% on the previous year and the highest number reported since 2013-14; believes that these figures demonstrate the urgent need to confront racism, hatred and inflammatory anti-migrant rhetoric wherever they occur; recognises and welcomes what it sees as the immense social, cultural and economic contribution made by migrants and minority ethnic communities to Falkirk and to Scotland as a whole; calls on elected representatives and community leaders to reject rhetoric that seeks to divide communities or blame entire groups for the actions of individuals; expresses its solidarity with Dr Arshad, his family, his staff and everyone affected by racist abuse and violence; supports a thorough investigation of the reported incident and the application of due process, and wishes Dr Arshad a full and speedy recovery.