Asad Shah died after being found badly injured near his shop in the Shawlands area of Glasgow on Thursday
Source: BBC
The man accused of murdering Glasgow shopkeeper Asad Shah has issued a statement saying he carried out the killing because he believed Mr Shah had “disrespected” Islam.
Tanveer Ahmed, 32, from Bradford, is accused of killing Mr Shah outside his shop in Glasgow almost a fortnight ago.
In the statement he denied the incident had anything to do with Christianity.
Mr Ahmed claimed Asad Shah had “disrespected” Islam by claiming to be a prophet.
The shopkeeper, an Ahmadi Muslim, who had moved from Pakistan to Glasgow almost 20 years ago, was found with serious injuries outside his shop on Minard Road in Shawlands on 24 March. He was pronounced dead in hospital.
Mr Shah was killed just hours after he posted an Easter message on Facebook to his customers.
The message said: “Good Friday and a very happy Easter, especially to my beloved Christian nationx”
During the police investigation officers claimed the incident was “religiously prejudiced” and confirmed both men were Muslims.
Mr Shah was an Ahmadiyya Muslim, a group known for its non-violence and interfaith concerns.
Ahmadiyya are banned by the constitution of Pakistan from referring to themselves as Muslims.
Floral tributes have been placed at the scene of Mr Shah’s death
Tanveer Ahmed made no plea during a private court appearance, where he was charged with Mr Shah’s murder.
He was remanded in custody and is expected to appear at the High Court at a later date.
Unusual statement
The highly unusual statement was made through Mr Ahmed’s lawyer, John Rafferty after his second appearance at court before sheriff Brian Adair.
The statement given was: “My client Mr Tanveer Ahmed has specifically instructed me that today, 6 April 2016, to issue this statement to the press, the statement is in the words of my client.
“This all happened for one reason and no other issues and no other intentions.
“Asad Shah disrespected the messenger of Islam the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him. Mr Shah claimed to be a Prophet.
“When 1400 years ago the Prophet of Islam Muhammad peace be upon him has clearly said that ‘I am the final messenger of Allah there is no more prophets or messengers from God Allah after me.
“‘I am leaving you the final Quran. There is no changes. It is the final book of Allah and this is the final completion of Islam. There is no more changes to it and no one has the right to claim to be a Prophet or to change the Quran or change Islam.’
“It is mentioned in the Quran that there is no doubt in this book no one has the right to disrespect the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him and no one has the right to disrespect the Prophet of Islam Muhammad Peace be upon him.
“If I had not done this others would and there would have been more killing and violence in the world.
“I wish to make it clear that the incident was nothing at all to do with Christianity or any other religious beliefs even although I am a follower of the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him I also love and respect Jesus Christ.”
Hundreds attended a silent vigil in Mr Shah’s memory and more than £110,000 has been raised for his family through public donations.
Categories: Extremism, Scotland, The Muslim Times
This statement is raising two basic questions . Since Mr. late Shah had different faith , Tanveer Ahmed killed . Is there any logic ? If a Christian says that they believe Jesus as son of God and since Mr. Tanveer doesn’t so he should be killed . Will people having Mr. Tanveer’ s ideology , accept or justify it ? Those moulvi saheban who are delivering speeches in Europe and America and saying that Islam does not allow such murders , should be asked that which Islam is true ….. their sayings or Mr. Tanweer’ deed? Secondly , if this ideology is justified; ” your religion is for you , mine is for me ” , ” there is no compulsion in the matter of faith ” , etc. become irrelevant . This ideology opens the door of voilancc as the world has different faiths . In India , the majority worship idols while Muslims reject idol – worship . Shias do not accept first three khalifas . Moulvi saheban, people like Mr. Tanveer Ahmed and Muslim mass must understand that everyone is strong believer of his faith . One has every right to accept or reject others faith . But such murders can not have any justification , and maligning the beautiful face of Islam . One must accept that it is this ideology which is a vital factor behind Islamophobia and hatred against the most beautiful and peaceful religion . At the same time , it is this thinking which is producing and nourishing Muslim terrorist groups . Those people who are facing Islamophobia and hatred , spending sleepless nights etc. should think .
Too many words here Syed. Too many Muslims and journalists continue to point fingers at a fringe group of adherents. To the rest of us…it really doesn’t matter shia, sunni, ahmadhiyya etc. Muslims are killing muslims. Also killing christians, jews, hindis and more. In every country attacks are happening. I absolutely challenge – and more and more westerners are now challenging the constant claims Islam is a peaceful religion. It has always been a missionary religion. It has always fought and conquered. If you don’t agree – then you haven’t read world history. What every attack here has in common – is some distorted view of this ‘peaceful’ religion. Other faiths have evolved and changed in part with the times. Islam continues to prove it cannot live with any other ideals and apparently cannot live with it’s own interpretations of Islam between it’s own sects. I challenge Muslims to own up to the current state of affairs created by it’s own believers – because unfortunately – I also believe in the west, india, china, russia to name a few – if this crap doesn’t end soon – the rest of us will get involved – and the world will be an uglier place before these peaceful servants of whatever crap slogan we have this week – will be sent packing – or taken out. I hope I am wrong here – but I am merely observing history – the Irish had enough of being occupied and treated badly by the English. 1916 set precedents all over the British Empire. The next one will be where? Molenbeek? Scotland? Australia or America? Everyone is tired of this narrative.