Hillwalking Hijabi Zahrah Mahmood Honoured with MBE for Outdoor Diversity Advocacy
Social media influencer Zahrah Mahmood, widely recognised as the Hillwalking Hijabi, has described the experience of receiving an MBE from the Princess Royal as "surreal" during an investiture ceremony held at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. The 35-year-old Glaswegian was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for her significant contributions to voluntary service across Scotland.
Championing Inclusion in Outdoor Spaces
Recently appointed as president of Ramblers Scotland, Mahmood has dedicated herself to promoting diversity and inclusion within outdoor communities. She received the honour specifically for exemplifying the spirit of innovation and commitment to social change through her advocacy work.
Speaking after Wednesday's ceremony, the mother-of-two expressed that the recognition "has still not sunk in" but emphasised its importance in highlighting efforts to make outdoor activities more accessible to all.
"It gives it more credibility, not just on the people receiving the honour, but also the work behind it and the reasons why, which I think is really important," Mahmood explained. "(The honour) amplifies the messages that people like myself are trying to get out, which is that everybody belongs in the outdoors, no matter what background or culture or religion or even financial background you're from. It's a place for everybody."
While her friends and family are "all very proud" of her achievement, Mahmood noted that celebrations would be postponed due to family commitments. "I don't think we're going to get much celebrating done today because we've got to get back to two kids," she said, adding that her husband had promised to take her out properly in the coming weeks.
Historian and Charity Founders Also Recognised
The Edinburgh investiture ceremony also honoured several other notable individuals for their contributions to Scottish society and beyond.
Historian Alistair Moffat, 75, received an MBE for services to literature and culture. The author of more than forty books on Scottish history, who also founded the Borders Book Festival in 2004, likened the honour to receiving "a big bunch of flowers for doing your job and doing your best."
"It's wonderful to come to a place that's so central to Scotland's history. We're right here in the heart of it, at Holyrood palace," Moffat remarked. "I don't want to see this as the end of anything. It's just another stage along the way and I've got a great deal more that I still want to do." He confirmed he is currently writing another book and organising the upcoming Melrose book festival in the Scottish Borders.
John and Lorna Norgrove from the Isle of Lewis were appointed OBEs for services to women and children both abroad and in Scotland. The couple established the Linda Norgrove Foundation in 2010 in memory of their daughter Linda, who died while undertaking development work in Afghanistan.
The charity focuses on supporting women and children in Afghanistan through programmes addressing education, healthcare improvements, and women's income generation. Mrs Norgrove emphasised that the honour recognises "everybody who's helped us over the years" including numerous volunteers and foundation staff.
Mr Norgrove highlighted how such recognition benefits their charitable work: "An accolade like this really helps publicise the work that we're doing because women and children in Afghanistan are suffering so terribly at the moment."
Ceremony Emphasising Social Harmony
Earlier on Wednesday, the Princess Royal participated in a separate ceremony at St Giles Cathedral alongside faith leaders and political figures, focusing on reconciliation, mutual responsibility, and social harmony.
The event saw Anne and religious leaders lighting candles together, an act that Chief Imam Sayed Razawi described as expressing "our collective commitment to reconciliation, safeguarding our communities, and nurturing a society rooted in respect, stewardship and hope."
Most Reverend Mark Strange noted the symbolic importance of the gathering: "All around us powerful people are trying to sow division amongst nations and faiths, the world feels a bit less secure every day. Yet here in this small corner of the world the faith communities are willing to come together in friendship and to stand together in prayer." He characterised the event as representing a "light of hope" during challenging times.
