RALLY Fans of radical Mumtaz Qadri protest in Pakistan
and my father’s business. Nobody could help, the police said they couldn’t protect us and a local judge told us to leave the country.
“My father thought we’d be safe. But, even in Scotland, within the mainstream Muslim communities, there is tension, there is prejudice.”
Personal trainer Athar added: “A Muslim client gave me details of someone who had contacted them to inform him that I was an Ahmadi Muslim and he shouldn’t get personal training from me.
“I have Muslim friends who did
not know and, when they found out, they refused to eat at my house. That’s the kind of thing I’ve had to deal with in Glasgow.
“They have got to change. That’s the way they have been brought up – they’re Scottish-born Muslims who are hearing this in their homes and mosques.
“I was 12 and we were friends with other Muslim families but at one point I was advised to wear boots. They said I should do this to be able to defend myself, to literally use boots as a weapon. I was
horrified – this advice was coming from a child. These were things they were being advised in the mosque.
“When my brother was murdered, the boot was used and it brought back these memories.
“It is too late for us but something needs to be done. We’ve lost a brother and we need to do something to make sure it never happens again. To walk through parts of Glasgow is daunting and worrying for me nowadays.”
During the investigation, police
probed suggestions that Ahmed had been radicalised by executed Pakistani murderer Mumtaz Qadri. They even looked at claims that Ahmed had attended his funeral.
In a phone call from Barlinnie prison posted on YouTube, Ahmed – who will be sentenced next month – said he didn’t care if he was sentenced to 100 years or death and hailed Qadri as his inspiration.
Asad’s sister said: “I think Scotland needs to send a clear message after this case that
people who harness these attitudes won’t be tolerated.
“In the mosques, anyone preaching hate needs to be stopped. We know this happens. It is the reason so many people have this hatred towards the Ahmadi Muslim community.”
Athar added: “I know this wasn’t an individual act. There’s an organisation running it and the Government and police are stuck in how to deal with it. But what do you wait for – more damage?”
The family have been supported
by lawyer and campaigner Aamer Anwar. He refused to comment on the specifics of the case but said: “Asad’s family are tired of this case being used to settle religious arguments. If anything, what they want to see is a legacy.
“I truly hope in what has been a deeply painful period for all of our community, that whatever our creed or colour, we will learn to choose the message of peace and humanity before that of sectarian hatred and violence.”
Cabinet Secretary for Equalities
Angela Constance said: “Our thoughts are with the family of Asad. We are committed to ending religious intolerance and will continue to work with Police Scotland and other agencies to offer reassurance to the Ahmadi Muslim community and all other faith communities.
“We are investing more than £500,000 this year in work to tackle religious intolerance, support faith communities and promote interfaith discussions in Scotland.”