Tributes have poured in for Tallat Haq, honouring her legacy of community service and quiet activism. In her memory, a tree will also be planted by Govanhill Baths Community Trust following the passing of the beloved Al-Khair branch manager.

*New shop signage in tribute to Tallat Haq*

By Samar Jamal | Photo by Iain McLellan

The passing of Tallat Haq, the manager of the Govanhill branch of Al-Khair, on 13 May has been deeply saddening. In the weeks that have followed, an outpouring of tributes from neighbours, friends and Southside residents has reflected just how much she meant to so many.

Tallat’s younger brother, Niaz, told Glasgow Life that Tallat had been feeling unwell for several days with suspected food poisoning. Tests revealed she had suffered a severe heart attack. Despite undergoing surgery to unblock her arteries, she sadly passed away at the Golden Jubilee Hospital, with Niaz and their 94-year-old mother by her side.

*The last photo taken of Tallat outside of Al-Khair on Victoria Road, courtesy of Niaz*

Niaz shared that while “the grief is profound, we must find comfort in the countless stories of those whose lives she touched. In remembering how she made the world better, we honour her legacy and perhaps find the strength to follow her example.”

Niaz added that at her funeral, on 14 May, the Imam “spoke with deep reverence about her life of quiet, consistent selflessness. Just as she lived – humbly, without fanfare – she gave freely of her time, her care and undoubtedly her resources.”

Tallat had been the manager of the Govanhill branch for over a decade and “her life was a testament to determination and independence,” her brother reflected. In the years before, she had lived in Belgium, worked as an au pair, put herself through school, learned French, bought an apartment and cooked amazing curries.

Tallat was known not only as the heart of the Al-Khair shop on Victoria Road, now marked with a sign that reads, “Tallat’s Humanitarian Hub”, but as a powerful force for good throughout Govanhill and beyond. “She helped refugees, arranged Eid gifts for children, and constantly reached out about community needs,” said Niaz. “She helped people access dentists, GPs, schools, legal support and food parcels. Her support knew no bounds.”

Read more: Tallat recounts childhood memories of her favourite summer drink

As a tribute to her life and service, a tree will be planted in her memory by Govanhill Baths Community Trust as part of their community tree-planting project, Creative Canopies.

“A living tribute to her resilience, compassion and deep love for her community,” said Bath’s manager Fatima Ugyun. Adding that Tallat was “formidable, principled, courageous and deeply rooted in her community,” someone whose activism was “lived, not performative,” and whose quiet kindness made others feel seen and supported. “As the tree grows, it will offer shade, shelter and beauty, just as she did.”

Fatima also recounts the many occasions you would see Tallat “attending lovingly to the plants she propagated and sold to raise money for Palestine.” She added that it wasn’t just her activism that defined her but it was also her kindness. Someone who always gave their time to others, offering “guidance and strength to so many in the community. Whether it was through a conversation on the street, a shared recipe or simply her unwavering presence, Tallat made people feel seen and supported.”

Baths’ Arts & Archives manager, Simone Stewart, who is leading on the Creative Canopies project, hopes that the fruit tree “grows as a lasting reminder of all Tallat helped to root and nurture in Govanhill – with generosity, wisdom, and love.

Others in the neighbourhood have shared quiet, heartfelt gestures of their own. One elderly Scottish woman recently walked into the Al-Khair and asked if she could buy a star in Tallat’s name. She said she had known her for years, often stopping by for a chat.

Another person shared the support they received from Tallat as a refugee: “I was helped by Sister Tallat when I got my house. She helped furnish it and provided kitchen appliances. She treated me like a real sister. May Allah grant her Jannatul Firdous.”

That, in the end, may be Tallat’s most enduring legacy – the everyday warmth she offered so freely that she didn’t seek recognition. In a number of small acts she changed lives and her memory will continue to grow, rooted deeply in the places and people she loved.