Archbishop of Canterbury forced to withdraw controversial award given on anniversary of 9/11 to Muslim cleric who praised Bin Laden
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The Archbishop of Canterbury has been forced to withdraw an award she gave to a Muslim cleric on the anniversary of 9/11 after it emerged he had once praised Osama Bin Laden.
The Most Rev Sarah Mullally presented the prize for ‘Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation’ to Tahir Ashrafi on the same day that the world marked 25 years since the terror attacks on America.
But she faced a major backlash after it emerged that the group of Islamic scholars Mr Ashrafi chairs in Pakistan had previously given its highest honour to the Al Qaeda chief.
His Pakistan Ulema Council gave Bin Laden a religious title meaning ‘Sword of Allah’ in retaliation for Britain awarding a knighthood to Satanic Verses author Salman Rushdie.
Mr Ashrafi said in June 2007: ‘We are pleased to award the title of Saifullah to Osama bin Laden after the British government’s decision to bestow the title of “Sir” on blasphemer Rushdie. This is the highest title for a Muslim warrior.’
He added: ‘If a blasphemer can be given the title ‘Sir’ by the West despite the fact that he’s hurt the feelings of Muslims, then a mujahid who has been fighting for Islam against the Russians, Americans and British must be given the lofty title of Islam, Saifullah.’
Tahir Ashrafi receiving his controversial award from the Archbishop of Canterbury last Friday
After his comments were circulated online on Thursday, the Archbishop faced calls to apologise and meet victims of terrorism to understand the hurt she has caused.
Then at 6pm Lambeth Palace said in a statement that it had withdrawn the award – yet continued to praise the interfaith work carried out by Mr Ashrafi.
It said: ‘Last week the Hubert Walter Award for Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation was presented to Maulana Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi in a ceremony at Lambeth Palace.
'The award was given for Imam Ashrafi’s longstanding support for religious minorities in Pakistan, particularly the Christian community – support that is valued by many Christians in Pakistan including its Anglican Church.
‘It is a longstanding principle of interfaith dialogue and co-operation that we must engage with one another across deeply held differences, and that remains the case.
'However, previous comments made by Imam Ashrafi have come to light that have led Lambeth Palace to reconsider this award and we can now confirm today that the award has been withdrawn. We have contacted Imam Ashrafi to make him aware of this decision.'
It added: 'We continue to pray for the Christian community in Pakistan, and for all those working for interfaith dialogue and harmony in Pakistan and around the world.’
Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy, who had exposed the cleric’s previous remarks, said afterwards: ‘It’s right that this award - given to an imam who praised Osama Bin Laden for targeting Brits - has been withdrawn.
‘The Archbishop of Canterbury needs to learn now and stop giving succour to those who would destroy us. The progressive dance with Islamism is dangerous and must end.’
The National Secular Society said: 'We welcome the withdrawal of this award, but it is astonishing that it was given in the first place – on the anniversary of 9/11, no less.
'This episode reveals not only appallingly poor judgement and inadequate due diligence, but a dangerous naivety about the religious figures legitimised through interfaith engagement.'
Questions are also being asked about why Lambeth Palace, which put photos of the ceremony online, did not name Mr Ashrafi’s veiled wife even though she was presented with the award alongside her husband.
Tory MP Neil O’Brien said: ‘I think the niqab is oppressive and makes women second class citizens. It is clearly not required in Islam. While this is a free country, it should be discouraged at all levels.’
Mr Ashrafi had served as ‘religious harmony’ envoy to Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan and had met former Archbishop Justin Welby on his trip to Islamabad in 2022.
After receiving his award last week the cleric said Islam was a religion of peace, security and love, and called for action to ‘protect minorities and unite against extremism and terrorism’.
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