The man accused of murdering the Glasgow shopkeeper, Asad Shah, has made a statement in court through his solicitors. He stated that he carried out the killing because Mr Shah had, according to him, “disrespected” Islam.
The accused, Mr Tanveer Ahmed from Bradford, issued the statement and suggested that Mr Shah was targeted because he thought of himself as a Prophet. This, according to the Mr Ahmed, meant that he has disrespected Islam and his statement denied that the murder was based on any comments that the deceased had regarding Easter and Christianity.
Mr Shah was found outside his shop and had suffered serious head injuries in the Shawlands area of Glasgow. His death led to an outpouring of grief from all communities and to condolences from a range of communities in the City.
Statement Made by John Rafferty, Mr Ahmed’s Lawyer
“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.”