Huge outpouring of support after death of popular Glasgow shopkeeper

Over £90,000 worth of donations have been pledged in memory of a Glasgow shopkeeper killed in a street attack.

An online fundraising site has now raised the money from more than 4,300 donors after the shopkeeper died in hospital after an attack at his shop in Minard Road Shawlands on Thursday.

The popular Muslim shopkeeper had just hours earlier posted a happy Easter message on Facebook to Christians.

Jen Bannerman, who created the GoFundMe page, said: “We are raising funds for his family to use in whatever way they see most fitting - whether that be to contribute towards funeral expenses, provide financial security for his family in the coming months, or simply to do something in his memory.

“We know money will never make up for his loss but this is our way of showing our support for him, and showing his family how much he was cared for in our community.”

Money will never make up for his loss but this is our way of showing our support for him

A silent vigil on Friday evening was attended by around 400 people, including First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, whose constituency covers the area.

Glasgow City Council leader Frank McAveety also attended, along with Pollok SNP candidate Humza Yousaf.

Mourners gathered near Shah’s newsagents in Shawlands and lit candles and laid daffodils in remembrance of the shopkeeper.

Glasgow Central Mosque also issued a statement about the death, offering condolences to Shah’s family.

It said: “This type of criminal behaviour is abhorrent and unacceptable and the Mosque stands shoulder to shoulder with all communities in order to eradicate this kind of intolerance from our society.”

A 32-year-old man has been arrested in connection with Shah’s death, which is being treated as religiously prejudiced.