A BRADFORD man accused of murdering a respected shopkeeper in Glasgow today issued a statement in which he has claimed to have committed the killing.

Tanveer Ahmed, 32, of the Toller area of the city, said he had done it because shopkeeper Asad Shah claimed to be a Prophet.

But, Ahmed denied that the incident had anything to do with Christianity or any other religion.

In a highly unusual move, the statement was issued through his lawyer, John Rafferty, after Ahmed made his second appearance at court before Sheriff Brian Adair.

Ahmed made no plea during a private court appearance, charged with Mr Shah’s murder.

He was remanded in custody and is expected to appear at the High Court at a later date.

After the court hearing, Mr Rafferty said: “My client Mr Tanveer Ahmed has specifically instructed me that today, April 6, 2016, to issue this statement to the press, the statement is in the words of my client.

“This all happened for one reason and no other issues and no other intentions.

“Asad Shah disrespected the messenger of Islam the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him. Mr Shah claimed to be a Prophet.

“When 1,400 years ago the Prophet of Islam Muhammad peace be upon him has clearly said that ‘I am the final messenger of Allah there is no more prophets or messengers from God Allah after me.

‘I am leaving you the final Quran. There is no changes. It is the final book of Allah and this is the final completion of Islam’.

‘There is no more changes to it and no-one has the right to claim to be a Prophet or to change the Quran or change Islam.’

“It is mentioned in the Quran that there is no doubt in this book no-one has the right to disrespect the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him and no one has the right to disrespect the Prophet of Islam Muhammad Peace be upon him.

“If I had not done this others would and there would have been more killing and violence in the world.

“I wish to make it clear that the incident was nothing at all to do with Christianity or any other religious beliefs even although I am a follower of the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him I also love and respect Jesus Christ.”

Mr Shah, 40, was found with serious stab injuries outside his shop on the evening of March 24, after being attacked outside his shop Shah's Newsagents and Convenience Store in Minard Road, Shawlands, Glasgow.

He was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police in Glasgow had previously described the incident as "religiously prejudiced" and confirmed both men were Muslims.

Mr Shah was an Ahmadi Muslim who moved from Pakistan to Glasgow in 1998.

A silent vigil was held outside his shop attended by hundreds of people including Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

* The Bradford branch of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association is hosting a peace conference in the city on Sunday, April 10.

A spokesman said: "We live in a troubled world and the theme we have chosen for this year's conference is 'justice - the foundation for lasting peace' - which in many ways reflects the work of the Aymadiyya Muslim community and many others to establish peace in our world."