The Archbishop of Canterbury has withdrawn an award given to a Muslim cleric who praised Osama bin Laden.
Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi received the award last Friday, the 25th anniversary of 9/11, presented by Dame Sarah Mullally for reconciliation and interfaith co-operation.
In 2007, while serving as head of the Pakistan Ulema Council group of Islamic clerics and scholars, the imam declared he would give bin Laden, the mastermind behind the September 11 terror attacks, the title Saifullah, meaning “Sword of God”, for “serving Muslims by waging jihad against infidels”.
A picture caption from last week stated Mr Ashrafi was being recognised “for his outstanding work as an ambassador of interfaith harmony in Pakistan”.
The National Secular Society (NSS) criticised the honour as “obscene, and almost beyond parody”, noting it was conferred on the anniversary of the terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 individuals, including 67 British citizens.
Lambeth Palace stated: “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to light that have led Lambeth Palace to reconsider this award and we can now confirm today that the award has been withdrawn.”
In a statement, a representative for Mr Ashrafi asserted his earlier comments were being reported “without their proper context”.
His 2007 remarks regarding bin Laden took place during demonstrations in Pakistan opposing the decision to grant Satanic Verses author Salman Rushdie a knighthood in Britain.
Mr Ashrafi said he was merely "giving an example" at the time to show the scale of offence caused to Muslims by conferring an honour upon Mr Rushdie. He emphasised that the title was never formally granted to bin Laden.
His spokesperson said: “Regarding Osama bin Laden, Ashrafi’s remarks have been presented without their proper context. His comparison was not an endorsement of bin Laden; it was made in the context of explaining the hurt felt by many Muslims over the British honour given to Salman Rushdie.
“His longstanding record against terrorism and violent extremism should be considered when assessing such remarks.”
NSS chief executive Stephen Evans 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.
“A Church capable of such a serious failure of judgement should not enjoy constitutional privilege, including 26 bishops making our laws. It is time the Church of England was disestablished.”
Lambeth Palace indicated the award had originally been presented "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".
The statement added: "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, following the emergence of those prior remarks, the Palace contacted Mr Ashrafi to inform him that his award was withdrawn.
Mr Ashrafi’s spokesperson also addressed online criticism directed at his wife and daughter wearing traditional religious attire with covered faces in the picture.
He said: "The decision of Ashrafi’s wife and daughter to observe hijab is their personal and religious right. Ashrafi also dedicated his recent Hubert Walter Award to his wife, acknowledging her support and contribution throughout his work."
He was among 27 individuals who received a Lambeth Award last week, celebrating recipients’ "extraordinary contributions to the Church of England, the Anglican Communion and wider society".
This marked the first occasion Dame Sarah had hosted the Lambeth Awards since assuming her position earlier this year.
