Asad Shah, the much-loved Muslim shopkeeper stabbed to death in a religious attack, has been described as a 'true Muslim' by 'a Christian brother' in a note placed outside his shop.

The 40-year-old was stabbed up to 30 times at his Glasgow store and left lying in a pool of blood, before dying in hospital on Thursday.

Friends and locals in the Shawlands area of the city have gathered outside Mr Shah's store to pay their respects to the man 'at the heart' of the community and condemn the brutal attack.

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Shopkeeper Asad Shah, pictured left, was stabbed to death in a brutal attack outside his store in Glasgow. Tributes have been left outside his shop, including this note which calls Mr Shah as a 'true Muslim'

Another person's note says that Mr Shah was 'the heart of our community'. A tribute service to Mr Shah was held on Thursday night, with around 500 people, including Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, laying flowers and messages

Mr Shah was stabbed just after he posted an Easter message on social media, praising both the life of Jesus and 'his beloved Christian nation'.

A 32-year-old man has been arrested and he will appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court in relation to the murder of Mr Shah, on Tuesday.

Police Scotland said they could not disclose the name or address of the man but they are treating the stabbing as 'religiously prejudiced'.

A tribute service to Mr Shah was held on Thursday night, with around 500 people, including Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, laying flowers and messages.

On Twitter, customers and strangers united in their grief and praise of the shopkeeper by writing #thisisnotwhoweare at the end of their posts, which was also written out at Mr Shah's second vigil (pictured above)

A message from Asad Shah's daughter outside his shop says: 'Hope you're having fun up there, God only takes the best'

Ms Sturgeon, whose constituency covers the area, tweeted afterwards: 'Moved to be one of hundreds tonight as Shawlands united in grief for Asad Shah and support for his family.'

On Twitter, customers and strangers united in their praise and grief of the shopkeeper by writing #thisisnotwhoweare at the end of their posts.

The phrase is often used by tweeters when posting about issues such as racism, homophobia, terrorism and politics.

One post read: 'A man with ever a smile was loved and praised by everyone #thisisnotwhoweare '

While another said: He was a gentle and generous man who did not deserve this #thisisnotwhoweare #AsadShah'.

As well as writing kind messages, people have also raised money for Mr Shah's family with more than £31,000 being donated to a Go Fund Me page since Thursday

Deeply religious, Mr Shah worked to foster cross-community relations in Glasgow and had been planning to host an online debate on Thursday with Christian friends about the importance of Easter. Above, a group of men pay tribute to the well-respected man

Fizza and Malaik Ali pay their respects to Mr Shah by the flowers left in tribute outside his Shawlands shop

Alan Gardner posted: ''My deepest respects to Asad Shah's family. A brutal end to a precious life of a caring community family man. #thisisnotwhoweare.'

A poster by the name of DrJ, simpy wrote: 'Will be at the Asad Shah vigil tonight with my son because #thisisnotwhoweare'

On Facebook people who knew the shopkeeper posted further heartfelt messages, some recalling the kindness he showed during their brief conversations over the counter and others just writing a short line complimenting his warm character.

Martin Malone wrote: 'Rip Shah, you were a true gentleman. You were a King amongst men.'

While customer Pat Gallagher wrote a longer message, praising Mr Shah's personality and manners.

He said: 'I've had the pleasure of knowing this man for 8/10 month as his shop delivers my papers.

Among the people paying tribute were customers who praised Mr Shah's warm personality and kindness

'He honestly had that ability to put a smile on your face just with his honest handshake and warm welcome.

'I was in on Tuesday to pay my bill and not for the first time I left the shop muttering to myself ''he is the ultimate gentleman, WOW! What a guy ''.

'Mr Shah, my friend, my heart goes out to your family. You were a truly genuine man. RIP'

Colin Finnie posted: I was in Shads (sic) shop now and then, always asked me how my training and things were going, no one deserves this treatment and family distraught, a quiet guy trying to better his life for him and his family.

'Religion is disgusting at times and im ashamed of humanity at times. R.i.P Shad.'

Heartfelt tributes were posted on Facebook with people expressing their sadness at the loss of a much-loved member of the Shawlands community

As well as writing kind messages, people have also raised money for Mr Shah's family with more than £31,000 being donated to a Go Fund Me page since the incident happened.

A small summary, written by four friends and former customers of the shopkeeper, reads: 'Mr Shah was a popular, well respected and much loved member of our community and his death has devastated many.

'He was a warm and friendly man and he always went out of his way to make time to talk to you - he was more than just our local shopkeeper. He was a friend to many.

'It quickly became clear to us in the aftermath of this tragedy that the people of Shawlands (and wider) were looking for a way to show their support to Asad's family and we thought this would be a fitting way to do so.'

A young man cannot contain his emotion as he visits the scene of where My Shah was murdered on Thursday

Before his death, Mr Shah had wished his friends a 'Good Friday and a very happy Easter, especially to my beloved Christian nation'.

In his final post, he wrote: 'Let's follow the real footstep of beloved holy Jesus Christ and get the real success in both worlds.'

Mr Shah also appeared to use his Facebook page to speak out over the attacks in Brussels.

In a video posted online he said: 'We are not here to fight with other mankind or cause bloodshed.'

It is believed that these posts may have led to the shopkeeper being targeted, angering possible extremist Muslims in the area.

Mohammad Faisal, a family friend, said a bearded Muslim wearing a long religious robe entered Mr Shah's shop and spoke to him in his native language before stabbing him in the head with a kitchen knife.

Mr Shah's brother, who was working next door, rushed out to find the killer laughing while sitting on the Glasgow newsagent's bleeding chest.

The attack on the shopkeeper came shortly after he had posted this message on Facebook celebrating Easter

Hundreds of people gathered for a silent vigil late on Friday night to honour the respected shopkeeper near the site where he died

'The brother dragged Mr Shah away but the guy continued attacking with the blade,' said Mr Faisal. 'They struggled up to the bus stop where Asad collapsed.

'It was just a clear-cut revenge attack. For posting messages about peace, messages about greeting fellow Christians and Jews.

'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.

'He went straight for the head. He got stomped on the head as well. His brother suffered a slash down his shoulder area because he attacked him with a knife as well.'

There is no suggestion that the man in police custody was the same man spotted by Mr Faisal.

Deeply religious, Mr Shah worked to foster cross-community relations in Glasgow and had been planning to host an online debate on Thursday with Christian friends about the importance of Easter.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon joined an estimated crowd of 400 to 500 people for the vigil to show solidarity and remember Mr Shah

Those attending were encouraged to bring a daffodil while many laid flowers and lit candles during the gathering

Friends said he observed both Christian and Muslim holidays, and never failed to send out Easter and Christmas cards. And he used his social media accounts to promote harmony on religious holidays.

At his vigil, a neighbour said: 'This is disgusting – Mr Shah was the most peace-loving man you could meet.

'He was proud of his Pakistani heritage but he loved Britain. He loved Scotland too and really wanted to reach out to Christians. This is such a terrible thing to happen.'

Julie MacRae, a friend of the shopkeeper, said: 'I'm shocked because he was so lovely. He's been great to my family. Every year he would send out lovely Christmas cards with messages of peace.'

Speaking at the service, Nicola Sturgeon said: 'This community is in shock and devastated. Mr Shah was a popular local businessman. I've used his shop and known him in the years past. I just think everyone is struggling to come to terms with it.

Flowers were placed at the scene. A neighbour said: 'He was the most peace-loving man you could meet'

'But this vigil has been an important way for the community to come together and show support to his family and more than anything to show that the community is strongly united.'

A further 150 people gathered at another commemoration service today as floral tributes continued to be laid close to where Mr Shah was found.

The event was organised by a group of local teenagers on social media, who had been touched by the kindness of the shopkeeper.

Aleesa Malik, 17, said: 'He would take the effort to care for every customer.

'He would want to know how are you, what are you doing. He took an interest in everyone's lives - old, young, anyone.

'You could be any colour, that would not be an issue for him, he just cared too much.'

Nabah Younis, 16, said she had been visiting the shop since she was a young girl.

She described Mr Shah as a 'lovely guy'.

Commenting on organising the vigil, she said: 'I just felt for the amount of support Mr Shah gave us - us as in Glasgow, Glasgow had to give something in return, and that is exactly what we are doing.'

She said messages of support had been sent on social media from all over the UK, and further afield.

As news of his death began to spread hundreds of people who knew Mr Shah arrived at his shop to pay their respects

She added: 'It feels warmer knowing that there is so much support, from young people to old people, people not even from this area, and people who had not even met Mr Shah.

'The community have reacted - he has brought everybody together.

'Hopefully this is a lesson that we need to stick together.'

It is believed Mr Shah belonged to the Ahmadi movement, a Muslim sect which promotes non-violence and tolerance of other faiths.

Ahmadis identify themselves as Muslims and a determined missionary network has helped spread their teachings around the world.

But their sect has won only disdain from mainstream Islamic leaders and it has been heavily persecuted in Pakistan.

As a result the Ahmadi community's headquarters are now located in Morden, South London. The site, which covers five acres, has space for more than 10,000 worshippers and has been hit by arson.

The spiritual inspiration of the movement was Mirza Ghulam Ahmad who was born in the Punjab in British-ruled India in 1835.

He declared Muslim religion and society were in decline and claimed to have been chosen by Allah to reform Islam.

The claim clashes with the Islamic belief that Mohammed was the last prophet and the Koran is the final word of God.