Glasgow hillwalking champion on King's Birthday Honours List
'It was a pretty weird gift,' agrees the 34-year-old, who lives on the Southside of Glasgow. 'But I had been going through a difficult time in my life and they thought it might help me.'
She pauses. 'It did, and it has had a lasting impact on my life.'
Zahrah Mahmood (Image: Zahrah Mahmood)
Zahrah is the Hillwalking Hijabi, newly appointed president of Ramblers Scotland, and a diversity champion who documents her adventures on social media to inspire people across the country.
She has received an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours List, something she says 'is still sinking in.'
Zahrah adds: 'I'm incredibly grateful, it just feels very surreal.'
The name of her Instagram account was her sister's idea, she laughs.
'As I got more into hillwalking, I was telling my sister that I didn't really see many people like me when I was out there,' explains Zahrah. 'I got a lot of stares.
'So my sister just said, 'lean into it – you're the hillwalking hijabi.' She grins. 'And it stuck.'
Zahrah is receiving the MBE in recognition of her voluntary service and commitment to social change.
She has become a leading voice in the movement for diversity in the world of hillwalking.
'There are barriers to the outdoors, not just in terms of race but also for people who are on low incomes, or who are new mums, for example,' she says.
This is a subject close to Zahrah's heart, as the chartered accountant is currently on maternity leave with her eight-month-old baby daughter Hafsah. She and husband Tom also have a son, three-year-old Harris.
'I am honoured to receive an MBE, and I hope I can continue, with Ramblers Scotland, to reduce those barriers and make the outdoors accessible to everyone," she adds.
For Monty Cowen, finding out he had been awarded an MBE was an especially bittersweet moment.
'My wife, Phyllis, died on May 3 five years ago, and it was on May 3 this year I received the letter,' says the 92-year-old.
'It made me very sad, as I know she would have been very proud.'
He adds: 'I am honoured and thrilled, of course. It means a great deal to receive this.'
Monty receives the MBE for services to the Jewish community and to the community in Giffnock over the last 60 years.
His many accomplishments include helping the synagogue in Giffnock move to a bigger building, now known as Giffnock Newton Mearns Hebrew Congregation, and organising fundraising events.
Monty is an honorary president of the Glasgow Hebrew Burial Society, and as an active member of the Kashrut Commission, he ensures supervision of Kosher food suppliers and caterers for Glasgow and the west of Scotland.
He is actively involved with the Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women (AJEX), a cause close to his heart, as he served in Egypt during his National Service in the 1950s.
The retired optical manufacturer is the Area Brigade Commander, and runs the local Armistice Day parade.
'Supporting my community is a passion,' says Monty, who has a son, a daughter, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
'I'm just interested in what goes on around me and I have loved playing a part in helping people.'
Leanne McGuire (Image: Newsquest)
Glasgow City Parents Group founder Leanne McGuire is to receive the British Empire Medal for 'services to parental and carer engagement in education.'
The 45-year-old said: 'I'm filled with pride to receive this honour. This isn't just about me. It's a reflection of the collective effort of so many parents, carers, campaigners and community voices who have worked tirelessly to make our education system fairer and more inclusive.'
She paid tribute to her daughter, who she said 'was my main motivation for all of those voluntary hours I worked on top of my full time job and most importantly being her mum.'
Leanne added: 'She was a constant reminder me why it all mattered.'
Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP (Image: Newsquest)
Labour MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy will receive an MBE for her political and public service.
The 43-year-old, who has served Glasgow since May 2021, is the first permanent wheelchair user elected to the Scottish Parliament.
Pam has used her own experience to highlight the challenges disabled people face, and she has pushed the Scottish Government and the Labour Party to move faster in improving accessibility for disabled people.
Pam said she was 'surprised and proud' to receive the MBE.
'As a working-class woman in a wheelchair, things like this don't happen to us,' she says. 'I never thought it possible to become an MSP, never mind receiving an MBE.
'I'm overwhelmed and will continue to work tirelessly for my community, and to public service to have a positive impact on society.'
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