Archbishop of Canterbury Revokes Award to Pakistani Cleric Over Bin Laden Remarks
The Archbishop of Canterbury has withdrawn an award given to Pakistani Muslim cleric Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi after past comments in which he praised al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden came to light.
Ashrafi received the Hubert Walter Award for Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation from Archbishop Sarah Mullally at Lambeth Palace on September 11, the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
However, reports later resurfaced of remarks Ashrafi made in 2007, when he said he would honour bin Laden with the Islamic title “Saifullah”, meaning “Sword of God,” for what he described as serving Muslims by waging jihad against “infidels.”
Lambeth Palace said it had reconsidered the award after the previous comments came to light and confirmed that it had been withdrawn.
The award had recognised Ashrafi for his work promoting interfaith harmony and reconciliation in Pakistan, particularly his support for religious minorities and the Christian community.
A spokesperson for Ashrafi said his 2007 remarks had been reported without their proper context and were not an endorsement of bin Laden. The spokesperson said the comments were made during controversy over Britain’s decision to knight author Salman Rushdie and were intended to illustrate what Ashrafi described as the offence caused to Muslims.
The Pakistan Ulema Council, which Ashrafi previously headed, has also maintained that he has opposed terrorism and violent extremism.
The withdrawal has nevertheless drawn criticism from groups and public figures who questioned the vetting process behind the award, particularly because it was presented on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
