Religious Extremists (11/03/17)
The ugly side of religion is on display in this piece from the BBC which reports that a cowardly religious extremist who murdered a Muslim shop keeper in Glasgow is now being celebrated as a hero in Pakistan.
Surely this cowardly man should be facing further charges of inciting hatred and support for terrorism from his prison cell.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-39112840?
Murderer Tanveer Ahmed inspires Pakistani hardliners from Scottish jail
By Secunder Kermani and Sajid Iqbal - BBC News
Image caption - Tanveer Ahmed claimed that he murdered Mr Shah as he had "disrespected" Islam
When Tanveer Ahmed was sentenced to a minimum of 27 years in jail for murder last August, Judge Lady Rae said he had committed a "brutal, barbaric and horrific crime".
Ahmed stabbed to death Glasgow shopkeeper Asad Shah - who belonged to the persecuted Ahmadi sect - because he believed he was committing blasphemy by uploading online videos in which he claimed to be a prophet.
But in Pakistan, Ahmed is developing a growing number of supporters who see him as a "defender of Islam" for having killed someone they believed to be disrespecting the Prophet Muhammad.
On Monday evening, about 400 gathered outside his family's home in the city of Mirpur, in Pakistan-administered Kashmir for a rally in his honour. The crowd chanted slogans praising Ahmed as "brave" and "courageous".
One man attending said: "Because of what he did, the whole of Pakistan knows who he is."
When Tanveer Ahmed was sentenced to a minimum of 27 years in jail for murder last August, Judge Lady Rae said he had committed a "brutal, barbaric and horrific crime".
Ahmed stabbed to death Glasgow shopkeeper Asad Shah - who belonged to the persecuted Ahmadi sect - because he believed he was committing blasphemy by uploading online videos in which he claimed to be a prophet.
But in Pakistan, Ahmed is developing a growing number of supporters who see him as a "defender of Islam" for having killed someone they believed to be disrespecting the Prophet Muhammad.
On Monday evening, about 400 gathered outside his family's home in the city of Mirpur, in Pakistan-administered Kashmir for a rally in his honour. The crowd chanted slogans praising Ahmed as "brave" and "courageous".
One man attending said: "Because of what he did, the whole of Pakistan knows who he is."
Image caption - Supporters champion Tanveer Ahmed for killing a man they accuse of blasphemy
Another speaker told supporters Ahmed could help mediate their prayers.
"You should close your eyes, raise your hand towards the sky and pray, making Ghazi [warrior] Tanveer your representative," he said.
The event was organised by the anti-blasphemy religious lobby group Labaik Ya Rasool Ullah (Here I am present, o Prophet of Allah).
The same group has championed another killer - Mumtaz Qadri - who in 2011 shot dead a high profile Pakistani politician for trying to reform the country's blasphemy laws.
Another speaker told supporters Ahmed could help mediate their prayers.
"You should close your eyes, raise your hand towards the sky and pray, making Ghazi [warrior] Tanveer your representative," he said.
The event was organised by the anti-blasphemy religious lobby group Labaik Ya Rasool Ullah (Here I am present, o Prophet of Allah).
The same group has championed another killer - Mumtaz Qadri - who in 2011 shot dead a high profile Pakistani politician for trying to reform the country's blasphemy laws.
Image copyright - GETTY IMAGES Image caption Mumtaz Qadri on the day of his arrest in 2011 - he was later executed
Blasphemy is an emotive issue in Pakistan, where it is legally punishable by death.
After Qadri was executed last year, tens of thousands of his supporters attended his funeral, and a shrine housing his tomb has been built in Rawalpindi.
Hardline cleric Khadim Rizvi is one of the leading figures in Labaik Ya Rasool Ullah, and is the most prominent supporter of Tanveer Ahmed.
As well as images of Mumtaz Qadri, Rizvi now uses images of Ahmed to promote his rallies and talks.
Ahmed had cited Qadri as his inspiration for killing his victim, and their supporters often compare the two killers.
In a BBC interview Rizvi said support for Ahmed was not as widespread as that for Qadri - but that Ahmed was held in particularly high esteem for having killed someone accused of blasphemy in a non-Muslim country.
Blasphemy is an emotive issue in Pakistan, where it is legally punishable by death.
After Qadri was executed last year, tens of thousands of his supporters attended his funeral, and a shrine housing his tomb has been built in Rawalpindi.
Hardline cleric Khadim Rizvi is one of the leading figures in Labaik Ya Rasool Ullah, and is the most prominent supporter of Tanveer Ahmed.
As well as images of Mumtaz Qadri, Rizvi now uses images of Ahmed to promote his rallies and talks.
Ahmed had cited Qadri as his inspiration for killing his victim, and their supporters often compare the two killers.
In a BBC interview Rizvi said support for Ahmed was not as widespread as that for Qadri - but that Ahmed was held in particularly high esteem for having killed someone accused of blasphemy in a non-Muslim country.
Image caption - Ahmed's image is now used alongside Qadri to promote the rallies
Over the past few months a Facebook page run by Rizvi's followers has released a number of audio messages from Ahmed whilst in jail. The messages included Ahmed justifying his own actions - and repeating slogans that "the penalty for blasphemers is for their heads to be cut off".
Rizvi was prevented from attending the rally in Mirpur by police, but I met him earlier this month after another rally.
He said that until recently he would talk to Tanveer Ahmed on the phone "every couple of weeks", and that he was proud of his friendship with him.
"I'm proud of the fact that we are in contact - and this pride will remain until the day of judgement and beyond."
Rizvi added that his conversations with Ahmed included discussions on the topic of blasphemy, and chants in support of the Prophet Muhammad.
After a BBC report in January 2017 on Ahmed's audio messages from jail, the Scottish Prison Service banned him from using the phone.
Over the past few months a Facebook page run by Rizvi's followers has released a number of audio messages from Ahmed whilst in jail. The messages included Ahmed justifying his own actions - and repeating slogans that "the penalty for blasphemers is for their heads to be cut off".
Rizvi was prevented from attending the rally in Mirpur by police, but I met him earlier this month after another rally.
He said that until recently he would talk to Tanveer Ahmed on the phone "every couple of weeks", and that he was proud of his friendship with him.
"I'm proud of the fact that we are in contact - and this pride will remain until the day of judgement and beyond."
Rizvi added that his conversations with Ahmed included discussions on the topic of blasphemy, and chants in support of the Prophet Muhammad.
After a BBC report in January 2017 on Ahmed's audio messages from jail, the Scottish Prison Service banned him from using the phone.
Image caption - Khadim Rizvi said "real Sufis" cannot simply allow insults to the Prophet
Rizvi said since the ban he had not spoken to Ahmed - but was confident they would resume contact.
"God willing it won't change anything - phonecalls have been banned - letters haven't - he will write to us."
Rizvi, Ahmed and Qadri all come from the Sufi Barelvi sect of Sunni Islam, one normally associated with more spiritual interpretations of the religion.
Rizvi, for example, is vocal in his condemnation of recent attacks in Pakistan, and of militant groups like the so-called Islamic State.
But in Pakistan, Barelvis have been at the forefront of anti-blasphemy campaigns.
"A Sufi is someone who devotes his life to the Prophet Muhammad - if someone insults the Prophet and they just let it go - they are not a real Sufi," Rizvi said.
Other Sufi Barelvi scholars strongly disagree with Rizvi's position - but he is an influential figure in Pakistan.
At the mosque in Glasgow that Asad Shah used to attend, there is concern at how hardline views on blasphemy from Pakistan are being spread in the UK.
Abdul Abid, former president of the Scottish Ahmadiyya community, said: "Pakistan has got a problem - and this problem is being exported outside of Pakistan."
Now it seems Tanveer Ahmed - from a jail cell in Scotland - is helping strengthen the anti-blasphemy movement back in Pakistan.
Rizvi said since the ban he had not spoken to Ahmed - but was confident they would resume contact.
"God willing it won't change anything - phonecalls have been banned - letters haven't - he will write to us."
Rizvi, Ahmed and Qadri all come from the Sufi Barelvi sect of Sunni Islam, one normally associated with more spiritual interpretations of the religion.
Rizvi, for example, is vocal in his condemnation of recent attacks in Pakistan, and of militant groups like the so-called Islamic State.
But in Pakistan, Barelvis have been at the forefront of anti-blasphemy campaigns.
"A Sufi is someone who devotes his life to the Prophet Muhammad - if someone insults the Prophet and they just let it go - they are not a real Sufi," Rizvi said.
Other Sufi Barelvi scholars strongly disagree with Rizvi's position - but he is an influential figure in Pakistan.
At the mosque in Glasgow that Asad Shah used to attend, there is concern at how hardline views on blasphemy from Pakistan are being spread in the UK.
Abdul Abid, former president of the Scottish Ahmadiyya community, said: "Pakistan has got a problem - and this problem is being exported outside of Pakistan."
Now it seems Tanveer Ahmed - from a jail cell in Scotland - is helping strengthen the anti-blasphemy movement back in Pakistan.
Something To Do With Islam (10/08/16)
Convicted murderer Tanveer Ahmed (32) showed no remorse as he was sentenced to spend a minimum of 27 years in prison for the cold blooded killing of a fellow Muslim, Glasgow shopkeeper Asad Shah (40).
Instead the Muslim taxi driver, who travelled all the way from Yorkshire to confront his victim (a total stranger), raised a defiant clenched fist as he was led away from the dock shouting "Praise for the Prophet Mohammed, there is only one Prophet."
Unbelievably, some of his friends in the public gallery showed support for Ahmed by raising their arms and repeating his words about the Prophet Mohammed which were, of course, just a crass attempt at justifying Ahmed's actions on the grounds of his sectarian religious beliefs.
I wonder what the leaders of the Glasgow Central Mosque will have to say given that one of their Imams, Habib Ur-Rehman, recently praised the actions of a fanatical Islamist (Mumtaz Qadri) who assassinated the governor of Punjab, Salman Taseer.
Asad Shah killing: 'Disrespecting Islam' murderer jailed
BBC Glasgow & West Scotland
A man has been jailed for life after he admitted the religiously-motivated murder of a Glasgow shopkeeper whom he claimed had "disrespected" Islam.
Sunni Muslim Tanveer Ahmed, 32, from Bradford in Yorkshire, stabbed 40-year-old Asad Shah outside his store in Shawlands on 24 March.
Ahmed had said he killed the shopkeeper because he had posted videos online in which he claimed to be a prophet.
The killer was told he would serve a minimum of 27 years in prison.
Mr Shah was an Ahmadi, a minority sect not recognised by all Muslims.
Why was Asad Shah murdered?
Image captionAsad Shah died after being found badly injured near his shop in the Shawlands area of Glasgow
Image captionTanveer Ahmed claimed that he murdered Mr Shah as he had "disrespected" Islam
Last month, Ahmed had pleaded guilty to the religiously-motivated murder at a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow.
Jailing him for life at the same court, judge Lady Rae told Ahmed: "This was a barbaric, premeditated and wholly unjustified killing of a much loved man who was a pillar of the local community.
"He was described as a peaceful and peace-loving man and family man who went out of his way to show respect for those of any faith."
The judge branded the attack as "an appalling display of merciless violence".
Lady Rae added: "No-one in any civilised country including Scotland has the right to take the life of another whatever offence that individual perceives that he or she has suffered.
"It is vitally important in modern society that respect and tolerance for others of any race, creed, colour, ethnic origin or religious belief is maintained and protected by the law of the land.
"I note with considerable concern that you have expressed no remorse whatsoever for this appalling crime."
Last month, Ahmed had pleaded guilty to the religiously-motivated murder at a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow.
Jailing him for life at the same court, judge Lady Rae told Ahmed: "This was a barbaric, premeditated and wholly unjustified killing of a much loved man who was a pillar of the local community.
"He was described as a peaceful and peace-loving man and family man who went out of his way to show respect for those of any faith."
The judge branded the attack as "an appalling display of merciless violence".
Lady Rae added: "No-one in any civilised country including Scotland has the right to take the life of another whatever offence that individual perceives that he or she has suffered.
"It is vitally important in modern society that respect and tolerance for others of any race, creed, colour, ethnic origin or religious belief is maintained and protected by the law of the land.
"I note with considerable concern that you have expressed no remorse whatsoever for this appalling crime."
False prophet claim
As Ahmed was being led to the cells to begin his sentence, he shouted to his family and friends in the public gallery in what is believed to be Arabic and they chanted back at him.
The court previously heard that Mr Shah was an Ahmadi who differ from the majority of Muslims, including Sunni Muslims, in that they believe the Prophet Muhammad was not the final Prophet.
The majority of Muslims believe Muhammad was the final Prophet and say any other view is inconsistent with Islamic belief.
Image captionMr Shah's shop was cordoned off following the attack in June
Ahmed, a Sunni, claimed that he had killed Mr Shah because he had posted videos online in which the shopkeeper had "disrespected" Islam by claiming to be a prophet.
Ahmed watched a clip featuring Mr Shah on his mobile phone as he travelled to Glasgow on the day of the murder and was heard in a phone message to say "listen to this guy, something needs to be done, it needs nipped in the bud".
When he arrived at the shop, Ahmed said he warned Mr Shah that he was there to kill him and asked him to stop claiming to be a prophet.
CCTV footage of the attack showed Ahmed pulling a knife out and moving behind the counter and stabbing Mr Shah repeatedly.
Ahmed, a Sunni, claimed that he had killed Mr Shah because he had posted videos online in which the shopkeeper had "disrespected" Islam by claiming to be a prophet.
Ahmed watched a clip featuring Mr Shah on his mobile phone as he travelled to Glasgow on the day of the murder and was heard in a phone message to say "listen to this guy, something needs to be done, it needs nipped in the bud".
When he arrived at the shop, Ahmed said he warned Mr Shah that he was there to kill him and asked him to stop claiming to be a prophet.
CCTV footage of the attack showed Ahmed pulling a knife out and moving behind the counter and stabbing Mr Shah repeatedly.
Frenzied attack
The shopkeeper managed to get outside, but was stabbed again and then stamped on and kicked in a frenzied attack as he lay dying in the street.
Mr Shah's brother Athar Shah tried to intervene, but was unable to fend off Ahmed.
As Mr Shah lay dying on the ground, Ahmed walked calmly to a bus shelter where police found him a short time later.
After being arrested, Ahmed released a statement through his lawyersaying he had killed Mr Shah as he had falsely claimed to be a prophet.
Image captionThe murder of Mr Shah horrified the local community, with hundreds of floral tributes being left in his memory
After Ahmed was jailed, Ch Supt Brian McInulty, of Police Scotland, said: "I hope that the sentencing today will reassure the immediate community in Glasgow's south-side as well as communities all across Scotland that acts of violence such as this are utterly unacceptable and cannot be justified.
"Glasgow is a strong, united, multi-faith community that has immense pride in its diversity.
"Religious intolerance in any form is simply not tolerated in our society and Police Scotland will work in partnership with our communities to eradicate such behaviour."
The Shah family moved to Scotland from Pakistan in the 1990s to escape persecution over their beliefs.
No members of Mr Shah's family were in court to hear the sentence imposed, but friends were in the public gallery.
A victim impact statement written by Mr Shah's sister Attia on behalf of Mr Shah's family said: "Our pain goes beyond our vocabulary. We have tried, in an inevitably inadequate way to capture the feelings and emotions that no person should ever have to do.
"One of the most tangible and far-reaching consequences of this tragedy is that, as a family, whilst our bond will last forever, we have fragmented and many of us have or are in the process of leaving Scotland, in search of a new life, away from the memories we used to cherish but are now the source of immense pain and suffering."
The statement said Mr Shah's widow has been "brutally deprived of a life and companionship with her soul-mate and kindred spirit, the love of her life".
After Ahmed was jailed, Ch Supt Brian McInulty, of Police Scotland, said: "I hope that the sentencing today will reassure the immediate community in Glasgow's south-side as well as communities all across Scotland that acts of violence such as this are utterly unacceptable and cannot be justified.
"Glasgow is a strong, united, multi-faith community that has immense pride in its diversity.
"Religious intolerance in any form is simply not tolerated in our society and Police Scotland will work in partnership with our communities to eradicate such behaviour."
The Shah family moved to Scotland from Pakistan in the 1990s to escape persecution over their beliefs.
No members of Mr Shah's family were in court to hear the sentence imposed, but friends were in the public gallery.
A victim impact statement written by Mr Shah's sister Attia on behalf of Mr Shah's family said: "Our pain goes beyond our vocabulary. We have tried, in an inevitably inadequate way to capture the feelings and emotions that no person should ever have to do.
"One of the most tangible and far-reaching consequences of this tragedy is that, as a family, whilst our bond will last forever, we have fragmented and many of us have or are in the process of leaving Scotland, in search of a new life, away from the memories we used to cherish but are now the source of immense pain and suffering."
The statement said Mr Shah's widow has been "brutally deprived of a life and companionship with her soul-mate and kindred spirit, the love of her life".
