THE GRIEVING family of shopkeeper Asad Shah have refuted claims he had mental health problems before he was brutally murdered.

Speaking exclusively to the Evening Times, Asad’s brother Athar, his widow, sister, mum and dad have adamantly denied the claims by some members of the Ahmadiyyah faith – which Asad belonged to – that the shopkeeper was ill.

Athar said the family are still living in fear 12 months after the 40-year-old’s death, while Asad’s widow Khalida has criticised his killer’s continued preaching from behind bars.

Over the last year the family have struggled with what happened to the “loving, friendly” shopkeeper, who had worked in his family newsagent on Minard Road in Shawlands for more than a decade.

Asad was brutally attacked by Tanveer Ahmed, a Sunni Muslim from Bradford, who drove to his shop to confront him about his religious beliefs on the evening of March 24, 2016.

The 40-year-old frequently made Youtube videos while at work discussing his religious views, among other things, with the most recent one before his death wishing Christians a happy Easter.

The attack, witnessed by Athar and a young shop worker, was deemed to be “religiously motivated” and Ahmed was sentenced to 27 years behind bars at the High Court in Glasgow last year.

For Athar, a personal trainer, the memory of his brother will never be forgotten.

The 36-year-old, who lived with Asad in Shawlands, said: “There was no evidence my brother was unwell.

“I lived with him, he was fine. For people to say he was unwell, I would ask where the proof is. There is no medical evidence that he was unwell and it is really hurtful for all the family to hear people say that.

“He was a very different person. He was the friendliest person that you’d ever meet in your life. He didn’t see colours – skin colours. He saw you for you, for what was inside.

“He wanted to help everyone, even the people who wanted to harm him.

“He was somebody who would welcome an enemy in his own house. He showed me that.”

In the days following Asad’s death, hundreds of community members rallied round the family’s shop and laid bunches of flowers, candles and cards in tribute to the shopkeeper.

They held candle-lit vigils, politicians turned out to pay their respects and thousands of pounds were donated through online funding pages to support Asad’s widow, who had been with her husband for more than 10 years before his death.

Many told of how Asad had helped by giving them jobs in the shop, letting them have goods despite not having enough money, giving out cards for holidays and even visiting them when they had been ill.

This strong community response is one of the main reasons Athar and his elderly parents chose to stay in Glasgow, where they settled after leaving Pakistan decades ago.

Athar said: “People might think if we are living here in Britain and we don’t feel safe then why are we here?

“The answer is because we’re not safe anywhere.

“I’ve also stayed for the community. The close-knit response we had from the community has been incredible and I’ve stayed for them.”

Asad’s widow, mum, dad and sister have also spoken of their grief at losing their son, and said they disagree with claims he was mentally ill.

Widow Khalida described her partner as “perfect” and said: “For my life partner taken away from me in this inhumane way will never be justifiable.

“My husband of 12 years was the perfect gift for me to spend my life with in this world. He was a very loving caring person and took care of my every need.

“He always put others before himself.”

Khalida has also appealed to the government to make sure prisoners, such as Tanveer Ahmed, were “properly locked away from the community”.

She added: “They should not have a voice outside of the prison walls.”

Asad’s mum Sadiqa said: “My son was fit and healthy.

“He worked seven days a week at the family store and also managed family properties, along with taking care of his own family and friends and the community.

“Asad spent 90 per cent of his day helping others around him in the community and the response from them speaks for itself.

“I carried him for nine months and raised him to be a good human being.

“To have my son robbed from me in this way…God will give me justice.”

Asad’s dad Naeem added: “I hope and wish for the Government, the justice system, the prison service, the police, the community and the media to do more to safeguard the peace-loving people off Britain and take more responsibility to prevent the spread of hate and divide.”

His sister Mansoora said: “You just need to see the community outpouring to understand what kind of a person Asad was.

“He will always be remembered ...We need more people like him in this world.”

See tomorrow for the touching tributes paid to Asad by Glasgow residents and beyond following his death