Vigil held for Muslim shopkeeper killed in 'religiously prejudiced' attack

Teenagers in Glasgow have organised a vigil to remember a Muslim shopkeeper killed only hours after wishing Christians a happy Easter.

Muslim

A vigil is held outside the shop where Asad Shah worked in Glasgow, Saturday March 26, 2016. Source: AAP

A vigil has been held in Glasgow for a well-respected Muslim shopkeeper who was killed in what police are treating as a "religiously prejudiced" attack.

Only hours before his death on Thursday night Asad Shah had wished Christians a happy Easter in a social media post, and he had previously appeared to speak out against violence.

He was found seriously injured outside his shop in the Shawlands area of Glasgow and pronounced dead on arrival at hospital.

A Muslim man has been arrested over his death.

Around 150 people gathered on Saturday in the rain to pay their respects to the 40-year-old, as floral tributes continued to be laid close to where he was found.
The event, organised by local teenagers on social media, followed a vigil on Friday night attended by a crowd of around 400-500 people, including Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Aleesa Malik, 17, said Shah had taken the effort to care for every customer.

"He would want to know how are you, what are you doing. He took an interest in everyone's lives - old, young, anyone.

"You could be any colour, that would not be an issue for him, he just cared too much."
Asad Shah
Tributes left to Asad Shah outside his shop in Shawlands, Glasgow. Source: AAP
Nabah Younis, 16, said she had been visiting the shop since she was a young girl.

She described Shah as a "lovely guy".

Commenting on organising the vigil, she said: "I just felt for the amount of support Mr Shah gave us - us as in Glasgow, Glasgow had to give something in return, and that is exactly what we are doing."

She said messages of support had been sent on social media from all over the UK, and further afield.

"It feels warmer knowing that there is so much support, from young people to old people, people not even from this area, and people who had not even met Mr Shah," she added.

"The community have reacted - he has brought everybody together.


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Source: AAP



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