Archbishop of Canterbury Withdraws Award from Muslim Cleric Over Past Remarks
The office of the Archbishop of Canterbury has decided to retract an interfaith award given to Maulana Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi after past statements resurfaced in which he showed support for Osama bin Laden.
Ashrafi was awarded the Hubert Walter Award for Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation at a ceremony held at Lambeth Palace last Friday. This event marked the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Lambeth Palace announced on Thursday that they had reconsidered their decision to honor Ashrafi after discovering his previous comments. In a statement, they emphasized the importance of interfaith dialogue, saying, “It is a longstanding principle that we must engage with one another across deeply-held differences.”
The palace added, “However, previous comments made by Imam Ashrafi have come to light that have led us to reconsider this award,” confirming the withdrawal. They also mentioned that they reached out to Ashrafi to inform him of their decision.
The Archbishop’s office stated their ongoing support for the Christian community in Pakistan and all efforts to foster interfaith dialogue and harmony around the world. The award had initially been presented to Ashrafi in acknowledgment of his long-standing support for religious minorities in Pakistan, especially those within the Christian community.
Reports indicate that back in 2007, Ashrafi referred to bin Laden, the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks, as someone who had “been fighting for Islam against the Russians, Americans, and British.” He had also stated he would bestow upon bin Laden the title “Saifullah,” which translates to “Sword of God.”
In response to the backlash over his remarks, Ashrafi claimed that his comments were misunderstood and taken out of context. He explained that the comments were made as a reaction to the distress many Muslims felt regarding the British government’s decision to knight Salman Rushdie, the author of “The Satanic Verses.”
Last week, during the award ceremony, the Archbishop’s office praised Ashrafi for his efforts as a promoter of interfaith harmony in Pakistan, highlighting his dedication to fostering religious tolerance.
