Glasgow: Muslim newsagent's murder was 'religiously motivated', say police

Police in Scotland have arrested a 32-year-old man over the killing of a Muslim newsagent in Glasgow in what they believed was "religiously prejudiced" – just hours after the victim posted a heartfelt Easter message on Facebook about his "beloved Christian nation".

Asad Shah was reportedly stabbed up to 30 times at his shop before collapsing at a nearby bus stop. The 40-year-old was rushed to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Shah's brother, who was working next door, found the suspect laughing while sitting on the newsagent's chest, witness Mohammed Faisal told the Daily Mail. The brother was also allegedly stabbed with a kitchen knife as he tried to drag his sibling away from the scene.

Faisal told the paper: "That man must not have been too happy about what he was doing, what he was preaching. It was a well-planned attack. He must have been an extremist."

Police confirmed both Shah and the suspect were Muslims.

A silent vigil, attended by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, was held last night by the shocked local community, who described him as a "gentleman" and "a humble, sweet person".

Eildon Dyer, one of the vigil organisers, said: "There were a lot of people clearly very upset. There were a lot of tears and lots and lots of flowers.

"Everybody has said he was the nicest man. He was clearly much-loved. It's just very, very sad." since they were young described him as "a humble, sweet person".

His posting on Thursday read: "Good Friday and very happy Easter, especially to my beloved Christian nation x!"

Shar is also believed to have taken to Facebook to condemn this week's Brussels attacks, writing: "We are not here to fight with other mankind or cause bloodshed."

Shah's family had run Shah's Newsagents in the Shawlands area for over 15 years.

The hashtag #thisisnotwhoweare went viral on Twitter shortly after the news of his murder broke.