This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/7876038.stm
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Scotland's first Muslim MSP dies | Scotland's first Muslim MSP dies |
(30 minutes later) | |
Scotland's first Muslim MSP Bashir Ahmad has died in Glasgow, aged 68. | Scotland's first Muslim MSP Bashir Ahmad has died in Glasgow, aged 68. |
First Minister Alex Salmond paid tribute saying he was the kindest most decent human being he had ever met. | First Minister Alex Salmond paid tribute saying he was the kindest most decent human being he had ever met. |
After a successful business career, Mr Ahmad represented the SNP on Glasgow Council and the Scottish Parliament, where he took the oath in Urdu. | |
Born in India before partition, he had lived and worked in Glasgow for more than 35 years. He leaves a wife, five daughters and two sons. | |
Mr Salmond said: "Bashir made history by being the first Scots Asian MSP therefore giving the Scottish Parliament something indefinable. He was a credit to both his faith and to his country Alex SalmondFirst Minister | Mr Salmond said: "Bashir made history by being the first Scots Asian MSP therefore giving the Scottish Parliament something indefinable. He was a credit to both his faith and to his country Alex SalmondFirst Minister |
"He made it representative of the whole country for the first time. | "He made it representative of the whole country for the first time. |
"He was the kindest most decent human being it has ever been my pleasure to meet. | "He was the kindest most decent human being it has ever been my pleasure to meet. |
"And lastly, although he would have considered it to be first, he was the most patriotic of Scotsman. | "And lastly, although he would have considered it to be first, he was the most patriotic of Scotsman. |
"He was a credit to both his faith and to his country." | "He was a credit to both his faith and to his country." |
Deputy First Minister and fellow Glasgow MSP Nicola Sturgeon said: "Bashir Ahmad was an exceptional person, and I will miss him deeply. | |
"He made all of us immensely proud when he took his Holyrood seat wearing traditional Pakistani clothing, swearing in using both English and Urdu. | |
"Bashir represented the best of Glasgow and the very best of Scotland." | |
Mr Ahmad was a list MSP, which means there will be no need for a by-election to replace him. | Mr Ahmad was a list MSP, which means there will be no need for a by-election to replace him. |
Active career | Active career |
He came to Scotland aged 21 and worked as a bus conductor and bus driver before buying his own shop. | He came to Scotland aged 21 and worked as a bus conductor and bus driver before buying his own shop. |
He subsequently owned shops, restaurants and a hotel before retiring from business. | He subsequently owned shops, restaurants and a hotel before retiring from business. |
He was elected five times as president of the Pakistan Welfare Association. | He was elected five times as president of the Pakistan Welfare Association. |
In 1995 he founded Scots Asians for Independence, and he had been a member of the SNP's national executive committee since 1998. | In 1995 he founded Scots Asians for Independence, and he had been a member of the SNP's national executive committee since 1998. |
In 2003 he was elected as councillor for the Pollokshields East ward of Glasgow City Council. | In 2003 he was elected as councillor for the Pollokshields East ward of Glasgow City Council. |
He was elected as an SNP member of the Scottish Parliament for the Glasgow region and Scotland's first and only Asian MSP at the 2007 election. | He was elected as an SNP member of the Scottish Parliament for the Glasgow region and Scotland's first and only Asian MSP at the 2007 election. |
He served on Cross Party Groups for Carers, Human Rights and Civil Liberties, Older People, Age and Ageing, Palestine and Tartan Day. | He served on Cross Party Groups for Carers, Human Rights and Civil Liberties, Older People, Age and Ageing, Palestine and Tartan Day. |
He was also a member of the Public Petitions Committee. | He was also a member of the Public Petitions Committee. |
As well as his political interests Bashir was an active member of the Asian and Muslim communities in Glasgow attending a number of the committees of various mosques in the city. | As well as his political interests Bashir was an active member of the Asian and Muslim communities in Glasgow attending a number of the committees of various mosques in the city. |