The Archbishop of Canterbury’s office has withdrawn an interfaith award given to a Muslim cleric just days after it was presented, following the surfacing of past remarks praising Osama bin Laden.
The award was rescinded on Thursday, September 18, 2025, after Lambeth Palace confirmed that previous comments by Maulana Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi had come to light. The decision was announced in a statement issued at 6:00 PM local time.
The Hubert Walter Award for Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation was presented to Ashrafi by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Sarah Mullally, during a ceremony at Lambeth Palace on Friday, September 12, 2025. The event coincided with the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Immediate Action & Core Facts
Lambeth Palace stated that the award was initially granted in recognition of Ashrafi’s longstanding support for religious minorities in Pakistan, particularly the Christian community. The statement emphasized that the decision to withdraw the award was based solely on the newly revealed remarks and not on Ashrafi’s interfaith work.
Ashrafi, who chairs the Pakistan Ulema Council, had previously stated in 2007 that he would award bin Laden the title “Saifullah,” meaning “Sword of God.” His remarks were made in response to the British government’s decision to knight Salman Rushdie, author of The Satanic Verses. In a June 2007 statement, Ashrafi said: “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.”
Deeper Dive & Context
Official Rationale for the Withdrawal
Lambeth Palace reiterated its commitment to interfaith dialogue but noted that Ashrafi’s past comments had led to a reconsideration of the award. The statement read: “Previous comments made by Imam Ashrafi have come to light that have led Lambeth Palace to reconsider this award.” The office confirmed that Ashrafi had been informed of the decision.
The statement also included a note of support for interfaith efforts in Pakistan, stating: “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.”
Background on Ashrafi’s Interfaith Work
The Hubert Walter Award is among the most prestigious honors the Church of England can bestow, with past recipients including Queen Elizabeth II and Pope Francis. The award is intended to recognize individuals who have made “extraordinary contributions to the Anglican Communion and wider society.”
Ashrafi’s selection for the award was framed by Lambeth Palace as recognition of his efforts to promote harmony between religious groups in Pakistan, particularly his advocacy for the rights of Christians. However, his past statements have drawn criticism from secular and interfaith advocacy groups.
Public and Political Reactions
The award and its subsequent withdrawal have sparked public debate. Travis Frain, a survivor of the 2017 Westminster Bridge terror attack and founder of the Resilience in Unity Project, criticized the initial decision, stating: “Giving an award for ‘interfaith and reconciliation’ to a man who honoured Osama bin Laden, the architect of misery for so many of all faiths and a man responsible for thousands of deaths, shows a grave misjudgement by the Church—made even more egregious by the fact that this award was given on the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks.”
The National Secular Society also weighed in, calling the initial honor “obscene, and almost beyond parody.”
Ashrafi’s Response to Past Remarks
In response to the 2007 remarks, Ashrafi stated that his comments had been “totally taken out of context.” He did not provide further elaboration on the nature of the context in subsequent reporting.
Timeline of Events
- June 2007: Ashrafi publicly praises bin Laden and awards him the title “Saifullah” in retaliation for Rushdie’s knighthood.
- September 12, 2025: Ashrafi receives the Hubert Walter Award at Lambeth Palace during a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
- September 18, 2025: Lambeth Palace withdraws the award following the surfacing of Ashrafi’s past remarks.