UK: Sick 'fans' laud British extremist who murdered Glasgow shopkeeper for 'blasphemy'

---

"Pakistan has got the problem, there’s no doubt about it and this problem is being exported even to outside Pakistan."

Times of Ahmad | News Watch | UK Desk
Source/Credit: Daily Express
By Chris Campbell | March 1, 2017

A COWARDLY Muslim knifeman who murdered a popular shop keeper has seen his fan base grow in Pakistan.

Tanveer Ahmed travelled from Yorkshire to Glasgow to confront Asad Shah at his store before stabbing the 40-year-old with a knife over a religious spat.

Ahmed, who was sentenced to a minimum of 27 years in jail for the murder last August, has been in phone contact from jail with hardline Pakistan cleric Khadim Hussain Rizvi.

Rizvi has said he has spoken to Ahmed on the phone from jail every couple of weeks. Some sound bites have even been posted on Facebook.

As a result Ahmed has reportedly seen his popularity surge within anti-blasphemy movements in parts of Pakistan.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4, Rizvi said: “We are proud of that fact he has killed and we stand with him. I am proud of the fact that we’re in contact and this pride will remain until the day of judgement and beyond.”

Asked by the BBC’s Pakistan correspondent Secunder Kermani that one of the “central characteristics” of the prophet was forgiveness, Rizvi said it was not the same for followers.

“Even if the prophet forgave someone that was because it was his personal right to do so but his followers don’t have that right to forgive someone who’s insulted him,” he said.

Rizvi added: “God willing it won’t change anything. Phone calls have been banned. Letters haven’t. He will write to us.”

Mr Shah’s family members have reportedly been appalled by Ahmed’s popularity.

Abdul Abid, former president of the Scottish Ahmadiyya community, said: “Pakistan has got the problem, there’s no doubt about it and this problem is being exported even to outside Pakistan.

Ahmed’s phone has reportedly been taken off him in prison but his status is growing in Pakistan.

“The event which happened in Glasgow is also an example of the same.”

Ahmed claimed to have been offended by clips Mr Shah had posted online which he said “disrespected the Prophet Muhammad”.

Hours before he was murdered popular Mr Shah wished his Christian customers a happy Easter on Facebook.

Watching one clip on his phone on the day of the murder Ahmed was heard in a phone message to say "listen to this guy, something needs to be done, it needs nipped in the bud".

Judge Lady Rae said Ahmed had carried out a "brutal, barbaric, horrific crime" for which he had shown no remorse and even appeared proud of what he had done.




Read original post here: UK: Sick 'fans' laud British extremist who murdered Glasgow shopkeeper for 'blasphemy'


This content-post is archived for backup and to keep archived records of any news Islam Ahmadiyya. The views expressed by the author and source of this news archive do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of Times of Ahmad. Times of Ahmad is not an organ of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, nor in any way associated with any of the community's official websites.