Leading figures from the world of politics turned out to pay their final respects to the first Muslim member of the Scottish Parliament at his funeral.
More than 1,000 people packed into Glasgow Central Mosque on Saturday for the funeral of Bashir Ahmad. Mr Ahmad died of a heart attack on Friday, at the age of 68.
When he was elected in 2007, Mr Ahmad became first Muslim member of the Scottish Parliament. Colleagues from the SNP and other parties having been paying tribute.
Being sworn in as an MSP was a proud moment in the life of Bashir Ahmad.
A patriotic Scot, but keeping in touch with his Asian roots, he took the oath in Urdu.
Before his election, he built up a business empire since coming to Scotland aged 21 and working as a bus conductor.
The news of his death on Friday night came as a shock.
First Minister Alex Salmond paid tribute, saying: "Bashir Ahmad made history as the first Scots-Asian member of the Scottish Parliament, and therefore gave it something indefinable - he made it representative of the whole country for the first time.
"Bashir was also 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 Scots.
"Bashir was a credit to both his faith and to his country, and my condolences are with his family at this desperately sad time."
Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "Bashir represented the best of Glasgow and the very best of Scotland.
"Bashir Ahmad was an exceptional person, and I will miss him deeply.
"He will be an enormous loss to parliament, to Glasgow, and to Scotland, as well as to his party."
Scottish Conservative leader Annabel Goldie said: "This is incredibly sad news. 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."
Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray said: "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.
"He was well-liked and universally respected, and all his fellow MSPs will miss him."
Tavish Scott, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, added his voice to the tributes: "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.
"Parliament will miss him, but our thoughts are with his family at this time."
Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow and co-convenor of the Scottish Green Party, said: "His office at Holyrood is just a few doors from mine, and he always struck me as one of the most scrupulously polite people I've ever met.
"I'm so sorry that he had such a short time at Holyrood, but his contribution to political life goes back long before he arrived here, and his memory will be respected by very many people both inside and outside Parliament."
Sandra White MSP, SNP member for Glasgow, said: "I had a meeting with Bashir on Thursday, he seemed perfectly alright, spoke to him on Friday afternoon. This came as a real shock to everyone, a great loss to the Parliement and to ourselves as well.
"He was a perfect gentleman, it wasn't just a contribution to Scotland, it was a contribution internationally as well. I don't think people realised just how much work Bashir actually did within the community, integrating everyone from the Asian community and the Scottish community.
"It will be a very sad loss."
Mr Ahmad leaves a wife, five daughters and two sons. He would have marked his 69th birthday in less than a week.
