The Colourful Heritage
Digital Timeline
Our digital timeline charts the history and progress of South Asians and key events in Scotland over the last 100 years or so, from the arrival of Maharajah Duleep Singh in Perthshire to the present day involvement of women in politics.
Starting from 1855 this fascinating timeline takes you through the journey of the evolution of the South Asian and Muslim community in Scotland.
Colourful Heritage Timeline
In August 2025, Dr Omar Shaikh the founder of Colourful Heritage was awarded the Abu Bakr ibn al-Arabi Award for Education by the 2025 Scottish Muslim Awards organisation. This was for the work of Colourful Heritage in educating the wider community using its variety of resources from its website, online & in person talks to schools and the community, exhibitions and its digital schools resource pack. The award was collected by his father Tariq Shaikh and Project Officer for Colourful Heritage Dr Saqib Razzaq. Other 2025 awards and…
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Work commenced on 30th October outside the Kelvingrove Art Gallery, Glasgow to create the path & paving for Scotland’s 1st National British Indian Army Memorial. This was completed in early December 2025. To find out more and to donate to this project please visit our dedicated webpage here! Location: Glasgow, Scotland
In November 2025 the SQA presented a certificate to Mrs Talat Khan to commemorate her dedicated service and outstanding contribution to Scottish education. Since April 1994, when the Scottish Examination board (the predecessor of the Scottish Qualifications Authority) began developing national qualifications in Urdu. Mrs Khan has, through her roles as Principal Assessor, Setter, Vetter, Marker and Reviewer, directly contributed to more than 5,500 Scottish Learners achieving qualifications in Urdu. Her commitment and expertise have been instrumental…
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FOODASIA Hypermart – Scotland’s largest South Asian Hypermarket in Glasgow opens to the public during December 2025. This previously was ABS Cash & Carry and prior to that was purposely built and owned by Nawab Din during the early 1980s and was called D & D Cash & Carry (Darcy & Din). Hear the story of entrepreneur Nawab Din, who came to Scotland with only £5 in the early 1950s & along with his wife…
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A great way to end the 2025 Glasgow City Council year with cross party support for a motion put forward by Bailie Paul McCabe & seconded by Councillor Zen Ghani, which celebrated the work of Colourful Heritage particularly the BIA memorial that we have started work on outside Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum for the contribution of 4 million soldiers during both World Wars from present day Pakistan, India & Bangladesh, showing unity & inclusion…
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Retired Police Chief Faroque Hussain KPM has become the honorary Consul of Brazil in Scotland. Mr Hussain, who is half-Brazilian, recently retired from Police Scotland after serving for 25 years, during which he reached the rank of Chief Superintendent and was temporary Assistant Chief Constable. He was made the service’s divisional commander for Ayrshire in 2020, and received the King’s Police Medal in the New Year’s Honours List in 2023. He is now tasked with promoting cultural connections between Scotland and Brazil. Credit: The Gazette, Largs and Millport…
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Nuzhat Uthmani, a former primary school teacher and now a university lecturer is appointed Chair of the Strategic Advisory Board for the Anti-Racism Observatory for Scotland (AROS) – Scotland’s first national observatory dedicated to generating evidence, shaping policy and amplifying lived experience to drive racial justice across the public sector. Nuzhat will bring her experience from grassroots activism to strategic governance, as well as her deep commitment to racial justice in education and beyond. She aims to support AROS in building cross-sector partnerships, sustaining momentum, and ensuring meaningful…
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