A man had admitted to murdering popular Glasgow shopkeeper Asad Shah in what police believe was a religiously motivated attack.  

Mr Shah, 40, who ran a store in Shawlands, Glasgow, died folllowing an attack outside of his shop by Tanveer Ahmed on March 24.

Ahmed pleaded guilty at the High Court in Glasgow to murdering Mr Shah.

The 32-year-old taxi driver had travelled from Bradford in West Yorkshire to carry out the horrific attack on Mr Shah, which was described as religiously motivated by police. 

Glasgow Times:

Pictured: Tanveer Ahmed

The crime sent shockwaves through the local community with hundreds of people paying tribute to the popular shop keeper.

The family man was discovered outside his shop on Minard Road, Shawlands with stab wounds.

Read more: Tributes for Asad Shah, a shopkeeper who impressed everyone who met him

He was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital where he was prounounced dead. 

Just hours before his death he had taken to Facebook to wish friends a very happy Easter.

Ahmed, who describes himself as Muslim, was arrested by police in April.

He released a statement through his lawyer saying Mr Shah had "disrespected the message of the Prophet Muhammad."

He said the shopkeeper "claimed to be a prophet" and that "if I had not done this others would".

Mr Shah's relatives said a person's religion, ethnicity or race never mattered to the shopkeeper, who treated everyone with kindness and respect.

The family said after his killing: "One of our brightest lights has been extinguished but our love for all mankind and hope for a better world in which we can all live in peace and harmony, as so emphatically embodied by Asad, will endure and prevail."

"He was a brilliant man, recognising that the differences between people are vastly outweighed by our similarities."

"Asad left us a tremendous gift and we must continue to honour that gift by loving and taking care of one another.”

His death sparked an outpouring of grief from customers and friends who left tributes and flowers to the 'light of Shawlands'.

Locals remembered him as a kind man who would give out Easter eggs and Christmas cards to customers. 

Read more: Asad Shah: Heartbroken family speak of 'devastation' at shopkeeper's death

Rowan Glen, a former Shawlands resident, said: "He was such a gentle, intelligent, hardworking, lovely man who was always so friendly to me. So sad for him and his family.

"I've been away from Shawlands for a couple of years now but remember how popular he was. So sad that such a gentle man died in such a violent way."

Grace Mullaney, who lives in Shawlands, said: "He was such a decent, hardworking, lovely man who was respectful to everyone."

Hundreds attended a candlelit vigil that, including First Minister Nicola Sturgeon who visited the scene of his death to comfort the Shawlands community.

An online crowdfunding page saw donations raise over £111,000 to aid Mr Shah's family and pay for funeral expenses.

Read more: Call for permanent memorial to Glasgow shopkeeper Asad Shah backed by Nicola Sturgeon

Nicola Sturgeon and Local MP Stewart McDonald backed calls for a permanent memorial to shopkeeper to be erected in Waverley Gardens. 

Councillor McLeod said: “The murder of Asad Shah has shown the people of Glasgow at their very best in the intense sorrow they expressed and all the support shown to his family.

“The idea of an appropriate memorial has my wholehearted support.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who is the local MSP, said: “I think this is a lovely idea and it has my full support.

“It's clear how much affection and respect local people had for Mr Shah and it would be a fitting tribute to the impact he had on so many lives.”

Chief Superintendent Brian McInulty, Local Police Commander for Greater Glasgow Division, said:

“All of our thoughts are with Asad Shah’s family today as they have been since this incident. Mr Shah was well known in his local community and his loss is still acutely felt there.

“We have worked closely with the community in Glasgow and with faith communities to ensure that intolerance has no part in the life of our city. Offenders will be pursued with vigour and victims can come forward and report matters with confidence.

“Officers will continue to be available in the community to respond to any issues or concern which arise.”