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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Scotland's first Muslim MSP dies | Scotland's first Muslim MSP dies |
| (about 3 hours 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. | 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. | 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. | Mr Salmond said: "Bashir made history by being the first Scots Asian MSP therefore giving the Scottish Parliament something indefinable. |
| "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 Scotsmen. | |
| "He was a credit to both his faith and to his country." | "He was a credit to both his faith and to his country." |
| Steven Purcell, leader of Glasgow City Council said: "Both as a city councillor and an MSP, Bashir had no problem in working with colleagues across the parties in Glasgow's interest. | Steven Purcell, leader of Glasgow City Council said: "Both as a city councillor and an MSP, Bashir had no problem in working with colleagues across the parties in Glasgow's interest. |
| "He was a gentleman in all he did. I will miss him." Bashir represented the best of Glasgow and the very best of Scotland Nicola SturgeonDeputy First Minister | "He was a gentleman in all he did. I will miss him." Bashir represented the best of Glasgow and the very best of Scotland Nicola SturgeonDeputy First Minister |
| Scottish Conservative leader, Annabel Goldie added her own tribute: "Bashir Ahmed was a real gentleman, much liked and respected across the political spectrum. | Scottish Conservative leader, Annabel Goldie added her own tribute: "Bashir Ahmed was a real gentleman, much liked and respected across the political spectrum. |
| "To be the first Asian Member of the Scottish Parliament was a real achievement, one of which he was rightly proud. | "To be the first Asian Member of the Scottish Parliament was a real achievement, one of which he was rightly proud. |
| "Bashir will be sorely missed and we extend our deepest sympathies to his family and many friends." | "Bashir will be sorely missed and we extend our deepest sympathies to his family and many friends." |
| Tavish Scott, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats said: "I'm desperately sorry to hear of Bashir Ahmad's passing. | Tavish Scott, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats said: "I'm desperately sorry to hear of Bashir Ahmad's passing. |
| "He was a decent and honourable gentleman and a good man to speak to. | "He was a decent and honourable gentleman and a good man to speak to. |
| "Parliament will miss him, but our thoughts are with his family at this time." | "Parliament will miss him, but our thoughts are with his family at this time." |
| Labour's leader Iain Gray added his thoughts: "It is with great regret and sadness that I heard of Bashir Ahmad's death. | Labour's leader Iain Gray added his thoughts: "It is with great regret and sadness that I heard of Bashir Ahmad's death. |
| "I know all Scottish politicians will unite to send our sincere condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. | "I know all Scottish politicians will unite to send our sincere condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. |
| "His election as the first Muslim and Scots Asian MSP marked the moment the Scottish Parliament began to reflect the many communities and cultures of Scotland. | "His election as the first Muslim and Scots Asian MSP marked the moment the Scottish Parliament began to reflect the many communities and cultures of Scotland. |
| "He was well-liked and universally respected, and all his fellow MSPs will miss him." | "He was well-liked and universally respected, and all his fellow MSPs will miss him." |
| Deputy First Minister and fellow Glasgow MSP Nicola Sturgeon said: "Bashir Ahmad was an exceptional person, and I will miss him deeply. | 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. | "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." | "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.Bashir Ahmad leaves a wife, five daughters and two sons - Scottish Parliament pic | Mr Ahmad was a list MSP, which means there will be no need for a by-election to replace him.Bashir Ahmad leaves a wife, five daughters and two sons - Scottish Parliament pic |
| 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. |