Death threats for Muslim lawyer who condemned killing
A PROMINENT lawyer has received death threats over his calls for unity in the Islamic community following the killing of a Muslim shopkeeper.
Aamer Anwar said he was taking the threats extremely seriously and police were investigating.
Mr Anwar chaired an event at Glasgow Central Mosque last week where he called for unity and condemned violence and extremism in the wake of the killing of shopkeeper Asad Shah, as well as terror attacks in Brussels and Lahore.
Mr Shah, 40, was found injured outside his convenience store in the Shawlands area of Glasgow on March 24. His funeral was on Saturday.
Tanveer Ahmed, 32, from Bradford, has appeared in court charged with murder.
Following the attack, police described the incident as ‘religiously prejudiced’ and said both men were Muslims. Mr Anwar said: ‘Having been a campaigner for human rights for over 25 years, I have grown used to the bile and hatred directed at me, sadly that is par for the course.
‘On occasion when I have had my life seriously threatened, I have informed the police but have always chosen to keep it private. On this occasion I could no longer remain silent, because of a small minority who believe they can silence me by creating a climate of fear.’
The lawyer said that over the past few weeks ‘abuse and hatred’ had been whipped up on social media, and he had received calls in the middle of the night.
He said: ‘I hold these people directly responsible for creat- ing an atmosphere which has given some the confidence to make threats to my life.
‘With a young family I could be forgiven if I had chosen to shut up and walk away.
‘The pressure from the community, friends and family to protect myself from the fanatics has been enormous.
‘It is a terrifying and deeply lonely place to be when you say goodbye to your children and wonder if it is for the last time, but the death of Asad Shah should be a wake-up call to our community that we must not be silenced.
‘Our so- called community leaders must do much more, they have avoided tacking hatred to preserve their status and that is deeply shameful and hypocritical.’
Mr Anwar has taken on a number of high-profile cases including representing the families of Sheku Bayoh, from Fife, who died in police custody, and Indian waiter Surjit Chhokar.
Mr Chhokar was killed in 1998 and this year a man will stand trial accused of his murder after a legal fight that has included two judicial reviews.
He has also represented the middle- class family of Aqsa Mahmood, who ran off to become a ‘jihadi bride’ at the age of 19.
They have campaigned to try to discourage other young girls from travelling to Syria.
A spokesman for Police Scotland confirmed it was investigating the threats.
‘Pressure from the community’