A CRICKLEWOOD mother-of-six has been awarded an OBE for her work promoting social justice.

Dr Husna Ahmad was given the gong in the Queen's Birthday Honours list for her work as the chief executive of the Faith Regen Foundation.

She said: “As a local Muslim woman I am very honoured and humbled by this recognition of the work of Faith Regen Foundation.

“I believe that we all have a social responsibility to work collaboratively to promote opportunities for all and achieve social justice.

“This award will inspire me and my staff to continue with our daily work of breaking down the barriers and building bridges to achieving a society which embraces diversity and allows all individuals to unleash their potential.

Born in Bangladesh Dr Ahmad, who has a PhD in environmental law, moved to the UK when she was four.

She has held the roles of deputy chief executive of the Forum against Islamophobia and Racism and sits of the Department for Work and Pensions ethnic minority diversity group and is on the board of the East London Mosque.

Her six children are aged between five and 27 meaning she has to balance her work and family life with the help of her husband and parents.

She added: “This recognition sends a strong message to everyone working hard to empower disadvantaged communities that their work does not go unnoticed.

“My younger children who are at Holly Park School in Friern Barnet are really proud of me and the first question they asked me is 'Are you going to meet the Queen?”