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18 Nov 04 18:42 |
The family of Kriss Donald have been praised for the way they dealt with their grief after the teenager was murdered in a racist attack.
Labour MP Mohammad Sarwar said the family's dignity despite their distress had helped to defuse any potential backlash after the murder in Glasgow.
The head of a community charity said Pollokshields had been united in condemning the murder of Kriss.
Their reactions came as Daanish Zahid was found guilty of the murder.
A jury rejected the 20-year-old's plea of not guilty to assaulting, abducting and murdering Kriss in March.
The 15-year-old's burned and stabbed body was found in the east end of Glasgow.
There were fears that racial tension would lead to violence in the aftermath of the murder.
However, Govan MP Mr Sarwar said Kriss's mother Angela and the rest of the family helped to ensure this would not happen.
He said: "I would like to pay tribute to Kriss Donald's mother, his family and friends who behaved in a very dignified and honourable way in this very difficult time for the family.
"It was made more difficult for them as they had to listen to the appalling evidence in the court and they appealed for calm in the community.
'Some comfort'
"That was one of the main reasons we managed to keep calm in the community."
Mr Sarwar said multi-racial Pollokshields united to condemn the murder and would welcome justice being done.
Robina Qureshi, director of Positive Action in Housing, said: "We welcome the guilty verdict.
"The Pollokshields community is united in its condemnation of those who carried out this tragic and brutal murder.
"We won't let extremists divide Pollokshields, which is an example of how cultures can live side by side in Scotland."
Kay Hampton, Commission for Racial Equality commissioner for Scotland, said: "We hope that this conviction will bring some comfort for Kriss's family.
"We hope that Glasgow's communities will remain as united as they were in the days after this shocking killing."