Facebook page celebrates over killing of peace-loving Muslim shopkeeper as murder suspect appears in court 

  • The Anti Qadianiat (Tahafuz Khatme Nubuwwat) group posted the comment
  • Mr Shah was stabbed in what is feared to have been a sectarian attack
  • He was a member of the peace-loving Ahmadiyya (Ahmadi) community 
  • Many orthodox Islamic sects believe Ahmadis are blasphemers 
  • Tanveer Ahmed, 32, has appeared in court today charged with murder 

By ANTHONY JOSEPH FOR MAILONLINE

Published: | Updated:

A sectarian Facebook page which is against the peace-loving Islamic sect of Asad Shah posted a headline about his death with the message 'Congratulations to all Muslims'.

The Anti Qadianiat (Tahafuz Khatme Nubuwwat) group posted the comment along with a screenshot of a news story in the aftermath of the 40-year-old's stabbing in Glasgow.

Mr Shah was stabbed to death in his shop in what is feared to have been a sectarian attack against the peace-loving branch of Islam he followed.

Mr Asad Shah
The Anti Qadianiat (Tahafuz Khatme Nubuwwat) group posted the comment along with a screenshot of a Guardian story in the aftermath of the 40-year-old's stabbing in Glasgow

The Anti Qadianiat (Tahafuz Khatme Nubuwwat) group posted the comment along with a screenshot of a news story in the aftermath of the 40-year-old's stabbing in Glasgow

It is claimed Mr Shah was set upon because he belonged to the Ahmadiyya community, which promotes peace and tolerance but has been persecuted by members of orthodox Islamic sects in Pakistan

It is claimed Mr Shah was set upon because he belonged to the Ahmadiyya community, which promotes peace and tolerance but has been persecuted by members of orthodox Islamic sects in Pakistan

Hours before his murder, Mr Shah had written on Facebook: 'Good Friday and very Happy Easter, especially to my beloved Christian nation'

Hours before his murder, he had written on Facebook: 'Good Friday and very Happy Easter, especially to my beloved Christian nation'

Hours before his murder, he had written on Facebook: 'Good Friday and very Happy Easter, especially to my beloved Christian nation.'

It is claimed Mr Shah was set upon because he belonged to the Ahmadiyya community, which promotes peace and tolerance but has been persecuted by members of orthodox Islamic sects in Pakistan.

His murder is believed to be the first major anti-Ahmadi incident in the UK, and has sparked fears Islamic sectarianism has spread to Britain. 

The closed Facebook group, which appears to celebrate Mr Shah's death, is strongly against his sect of Islam. The social media page has more than 13,000 members and incites sectarian hatred.

The term 'Qadiani' is a derogatory religious slur at Ahmadi Muslims. The Ahmadiyya community preaches 'love for all, hatred for none'. 

But its members are despised as non-Muslim blasphemers by some in the Islamic world.  

Police on Minard Road, Shawlands, Glasgow, investigating the death of popular shop keeper Asad Shah

Police on Minard Road, Shawlands, Glasgow, investigating the death of popular shop keeper Asad Shah

Dozens of floral tributes were laid at the police cordon blocking off the street, and a fundraising page set up on the GoFundMe website in support of his family had raised almost £90,000

Dozens of floral tributes were laid at the police cordon blocking off the street, and a fundraising page set up on the GoFundMe website in support of his family had raised almost £90,000

The Tahaffuz Khatme Nubuwwat movement is a community section which believes Ahmadis are blasphemers. It was born in Pakistan and says it aims to unite Muslims around the world.

However, its failure to tolerate other religions and non-believers has seen violent attacks on other Islamic sects and Christians. 

In November 2014 the group targeted Mr Shah in two videos which described him as a 'false prophet'. 

The Khatme Nubuwwat Channel put the films on video hosting site Daily Motion.

The group titled one of the films 'Asad Shah False Prophet part 1'. And it titled the other 'Asad Shah False Prophet part 2'. 

Mr Shah's death shocked members of the local community who came together for vigils at the weekend.

Police arrested a 32-year-old Muslim man over the alleged murder of Mr Shah. He appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court today. Pictured is his prison van arriving at court today

Police arrested a 32-year-old Muslim man over the alleged murder of Mr Shah. He appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court today. Pictured is his prison van arriving at court today

Police arrested a 32-year-old Muslim man, from Bradford, over the alleged murder of Mr Shah. 

Tanveer Ahmed is accused of killing Mr Shah outside his convenience store on Thursday night.

Ahmed made no plea or declaration at the brief hearing at Glasgow Sheriff Court and was remanded in custody pending a further court appearance. 

Dozens of floral tributes were laid at the police cordon blocking off the street, and a fundraising page set up on the GoFundMe website in support of his family had raised almost £90,000.

Mr Shah's shop regulars described him as a 'pillar of the community' and a 'wonderful man'.

He had posted a Facebook message on Thursday wishing all Christians a happy Easter.

THE ISLAMIC SECT THAT PREACHES LOVE BUT IS HATED AMONG OTHERS

Asad Shah belonged to the Ahmadi Muslim (also known as Ahmadiyya) community, which preaches love and tolerance.

The sect, which has a huge missionary network spreading its values of non-violence, identifies itself as a Muslim movement and follows the teachings of the Koran.

But it is regarded by orthodox Muslims as heretical because followers do not believe Mohammed was the final prophet sent to guide mankind.

As a result, Ahmadi Muslims have been persecuted – particularly in ultra-conservative Pakistan.

It moved its headquarters to Britain in the 1980s and is currently based in Morden, south London.

The reformist movement's founder was Islamic teacher Mirza Ghulam Ahmad who was born in India in 1835.

The term 'Qadiani' is a derogatory religious slur at Ahmadi Muslims. The Ahmadiyya community preaches 'love for all, hatred for none'. 

But its members are despised as non-Muslim blasphemers by some in the Islamic world.  

The Tahaffuz Khatme Nubuwwat movement is a community section which believes Ahmadis are blasphemers. It was born in Pakistan and says it aims to unite Muslims around the world.

However, its failure to tolerate other religions and non-believers has seen violent attacks on other Islamic sects and Christians.

Its website states: 'After the creation of Pakistan, the founder and pioneer chief of the Majlis, unequalled orator and great Islamic leader, Sayed Ataullah Shah Bukhari (May Allah's mercy be upon him) detaching himself from all the political preoccupations, along with all his comrades, devoted his life for the preaching of Islam and refutation of Qadianiat (The movement of the repudiators of the belief in the finality of the Holy Prophet).

'In Pakistan and many other countries Qadianees have been segregated from the Muslim and have been proclaimed as Non-Muslims.'

The organisation, which has offices in London, also states it exists to 'educate' Muslims about the 'reality' of the Ahmadiyya community, which it does not agree with.

It says the Ahmadi belief that there were prophets after Mohammed is 'false', describing their faith as 'heretic'. 

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