The SNP's Humza Yousaf has condemned the lack of women in power at Glasgow Central Mosque as a "disgrace".
The Scottish government minister - regarded as one of the UK's most influential Muslims - signalled support for reform at the Clydeside complex, which is currently at the centre of a probe by charity watchdogs.
He tweeted: "Whatever your view on internal wranglings at Glasgow Central Mosque it is a disgrace that not a single woman has ever been appointed to committee."
Whatever your view on internal wranglings at Glasgow Central Mosque is disgrace that not a single woman has ever been appointed to committee
— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) January 19, 2016
Mr Yousaf, pictured below, in his tweet is not publicly taking sides in the power struggle at the Mosque, although his backing for committee members will be interpreted as tacit support for young Scottish reformers over older Pakistani conservatives.
Background: How the Herald broke story of watchdog concerns over Mosque.
"Mess": Official Mosque statement on why they called in watchdogs
Analysis: the generational power struggle at the Mosque
The Mosque's new leadership has made it clear that it wishes to be more welcoming to both women and Muslims who are not of a Pakistani origin.
It is currently at loggerheads with the building's powerful property trustees - mostly elderly Pakistani-born businessmen with conservative views - over the future direction of the Mosque.
OSCR, the charity regulator, has said conduct and behaviour of some of these trustees were "not of a standard" expected of people involved in a charity.
The trustees - dubbed the Old Guard by their critics - have declined to comment on this, a preliminary finding in an ongoing investigation.
Another prominent Glasgow Muslim, lawyer Aamer Anwar also stressed the need to get more women and other ethnic groups included in the Mosque.
Speaking to The Herald, he said: "At a time our community faces its greatest challenge, many have had enough of individuals treating the mosque as their personal empire.
"When over 50 per cent of the community i.e. women and everyone apart from the Pakistani community is excluded from running the country’s largest mosque there is a serious problem.
"The new committee has achieved in six months what others could not do in 32 years of existence.
"This is about more than money, it’s about accountability, equality, positive role models and that is what frightens those aligning themselves with the old guard.
"If Central Mosque fails in the huge task it faces, then the people of Scotland will lose not just the Muslim community."
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