It is a most tragic tale, 40-year-old Asad Shah was sent to an early grave for celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. The shopkeeper from Glasgow who has been described by those who knew him as 'peace-loving' was stabbed 30 times in his shop after he had praised both the life of Jesus and ‘his beloved Christian nation’. He died in hospital.
Police say the murder is religiously motivated and are questioning a 32-year-old man.
Mohammad Faisal, a family friend, said a bearded Muslim wearing a long religious robe entered Mr Shah’s shop and spoke to him in his native language before stabbing him in the head with a kitchen knife.
Mr Shah’s brother, who was working next door, rushed out to find the killer laughing while sitting on the shopkeeper's bleeding chest.
‘The brother dragged Mr Shah away but the guy continued attacking with the blade,’ said Mr Faisal. ‘They struggled up to the bus stop where Asad collapsed.
‘It was just a clear-cut revenge attack. For posting messages about peace, messages about greeting fellow Christians and Jews.
‘That man must not have been too happy about what he was doing, what he was preaching. It was a well-planned attack. He must have been an extremist.
'He went straight for the head. He got stomped on the head as well. His brother suffered a slash down his shoulder area because he attacked him with a knife as well.’
Before his death, Mr Shah had wished his friends a ‘Good
Friday and a very happy Easter, especially to my beloved Christian nation’.
In his final post, he wrote: ‘Let’s follow the real footstep of beloved holy Jesus Christ and get the real success in both worlds.’
He also spoke out against the Brussels attacks on his Facebook page.
In a video posted online he said: ‘We are not here to fight with other mankind or cause bloodshed.’
Hundreds of people including the Scottish first minister, Nicola Sturgeon gathered for a silent vigil late to honour the respected shopkeeper near the site where he died.
Deeply religious, Mr Shah worked to foster cross-community relations in Glasgow and had been planning to host an online debate last night with Christian friends about the importance of Easter. Friends said he observed both Christian and Muslim holidays, and never failed to send out Easter and Christmas cards. And he used his social media accounts to promote harmony on religious holidays.
It is believed he belonged to the Ahmadi movement, a Muslim sect which promotes non-violence and tolerance of other faiths.
Ahmadis identify themselves as Muslims and a determined missionary network has helped spread their teachings around the world.
The sect however has drawn the ire of mainstream Islam and suffer severe persecution, its headquarters in South London has been targeted by arsonists.
