[Why is the award called "young Scot of the year" if it is given to a foreigner? And before anyone moans and calls me 'racist' I would ask does that kurd become Scottish just by living in a high flat in castlemilk? Is he the same as a Scotsman in the highlands who can trace his roots back hundreds of years in the highlands-ed]

It has not been easy for Brzoom Kadirglam to forge a new life from the debris of his old one. When he arrived in Glasgow in the autumn of 2000, he knew only a few words of English. Given a set of keys to a high-rise flat in Castlemilk, he was left – alone, confused and frustrated.

Now, however, the 29-year-old has found himself standing shoulder-to-shoulder with some of Scotland’s most influential figures, including Tam Dalyell, Professor Tom Devine, and Sir Fred Goodwin.

An Iraqi Kurd asylum seeker, he became the first-ever winner of the Arnold Kemp Award for Young Scot of the Year. Set up in memory of the former editor of The Herald, its aim is to celebrate socially-inclusive and enlightened young Scots.

A trained lawyer, Mr Kadirglam has devoted the last five years to voluntary work, helping newly arrived asylum seekers in his adopted city. The Home Office has yet to decide whether he can stay in this country.

Aware of his asylum status, organisers said the tireless work of Mr Kadirglam, who lives in Gorbals, made him an unusual yet inspirational choice for the award.

His honour came as part of the Academy of Merit awards, set up by the Institute of Contemporary Scotland which seeks to acknowledge and celebrate significant individual achievements.

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