Family thought they would be safe from religious hatred in Scotland

The parents of murdered shopkeeper Asad Shah moved to Scotland from Pakistan because “we never thought that we could be in danger here”.

As Ahmadi Muslims they said they faced religious hatred and discrimination in their homeland and sought refuge in Glasgow.

Two decades on, the faith-motivated stabbing of their son as he served behind the counter of the family store has brought “an immense sense of guilt” and a renewed sense of fear for their safety.

As explained by prosecutors, Ahmadis differ from other Muslims in their belief that the Prophet Muhammad was not the final Prophet.

The majority of Muslims believe this view is inconsistent with Islamic belief and many consider it heretical or blasphemous.

Tanveer Ahmed said he murdered Mr Shah not because he was an Ahmadi Muslim however, but because of specific comments he made on social media. The shopkeeper regularly posted messages and video clips online which the Crown said gave “little doubt that he was claiming to be a messenger of God and a prophet”.

The most recent Scottish census indicates there are around 77,000 Muslims living in Scotland, of whom several hundred are thought to belong to the Ahmadi community.

Glasgow’s Yorkhill area is home to the Bait-ur-rahman Mosque and Ahmadiyya Muslim Centre.