A taxi driver accused of killing Asad Shah outside his shop has issued a statement saying: “If I had not done this others would.”
Tanveer Ahmed, from Bradford, West Yorkshire, appeared in court for the second time accused of murdering the 40-year-old outside his shop in the Shawlands area of Glasgow’s south side last month.
The taxi driver made no plea when he appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Wednesday for a full committal hearing in private, but afterwards released a statement through his lawyer John Rafferty saying Asad Shah had “disrespected” the Prophet Muhammad.
It said: “This all happened for one reason and no other issues and no other intentions.
“Asad Shah disrespected the messenger of Islam the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him. Mr Shah claimed to be a Prophet.
“When 1,400 years ago the Prophet of Islam Muhammad peace be upon him has clearly said that ‘I am the final messenger of Allah there is no more prophets or messengers from God Allah after me.
“‘I am leaving you the final Quran. There is no changes. It is the final book of Allah and this is the final completion of Islam.
“‘There is no more changes to it and no one has the right to claim to be a Prophet or to change the Quran or change Islam.’
“It is mentioned in the Quran that there is no doubt in this book no one has the right to disrespect the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him and no one has the right to disrespect the Prophet of Islam Muhammad Peace be upon him.
“If I had not done this others would and there would have been more killing and violence in the world.
“I wish to make it clear that the incident was nothing at all to do with Christianity or any other religious beliefs even although I am a follower of the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him I also love and respect Jesus Christ.”
Police had previously described the killing as “religiously prejudiced”.
Mr Shah, an Ahmadi Muslim who moved from Pakistan to Scotland 18 years ago, was found outside his shop in Minard Road on March 24, and pronounced dead in hospital.
Hours before the brutal attack, he had posted a heart-warming Facebook message wishing all Christians a happy Easter.
Ahmed, 32, was remanded in custody and is due to appear in court at a later date.
