Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally awarded Tahir Ashrafi the 'Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation' prize on September 11, the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Ashrafi's Pakistan Ulema Council previously honored Osama Bin Laden with a religious title in retaliation for Salman Rushdie receiving a knighthood from Britain. Critics are demanding Mullally apologize and meet with terrorism victims, while some politicians like Nick Timothy criticize her decision as naive and insensitive.
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Story summary
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, faced backlash on September 11, 2023, after presenting an award for "Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation" to Tahir Ashrafi at Lambeth Palace. The controversy stems from Ashrafi's past praise of Osama Bin Laden, the leader of Al Qaeda responsible for the 9/11 attacks that killed thousands. In 2007, the Pakistan Ulema Council chaired by Ashrafi bestowed upon Bin Laden a religious title equating him to a "Sword of Allah," in response to Britain awarding a knighthood to Salman Rushdie, whose book *The Satanic Verses* had caused offense. Critics, including Travis Frain (a survivor of the 2017 Westminster Bridge attack), argue that this decision shows poor judgment and disregards the hurt felt by victims of terrorism.
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The Archbishop of Canterbury is under fire for giving an award to a Muslim cleric who once praised Osama Bin Laden – on the anniversary of 9/11.
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who → see → 9/11
The Most Rev Sarah Mullally presented the prize for ‘Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation’ to Tahir Ashrafi on Friday as the world marked 25 years since the terror attacks on America.
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world → present → America
She gave him the award in a ceremony at Lambeth Palace even though the group of Islamic scholars he chairs in Pakistan had previously given an honour to the Al Qaeda chief.
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he → give → chief
His Pakistan Ulema Council gave Bin Laden a religious title meaning ‘Sword of Allah’ in retaliation for Britain awarding a knighthood to Salman Rushdie, author of the Satanic Verses.
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Britain → give → Verses
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.
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We → say → Rushdie
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.’
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who → add → Islam
The Archbishop, the first female spiritual head of the Church of England, is now facing calls to apologise – and meet victims of terrorism to understand the hurt she has caused.
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she → face → hurt
Travis Frain, a survivor of the 2017 Westminster Bridge terror attack and founder of the Resilience in Unity Project support project, said: ‘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.
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award → say → attacks
Tahir Ashrafi being presented with the Hubert Walter Award for Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation by Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally on September 11th
‘
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Ashrafi → present → 11th
I would urge the Archbishop to meet with victims of terrorism to appreciate the hurt that this award may have caused, and to understand the real work being led by hundreds of brave survivors across the country to bring people together of different faiths and backgrounds under the banner of preventing the spread of radicalisation – far apart from those would seek to honour the perpetrators of these heinous attacks.’
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those → urge → attacks
Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy said: ‘The naivety of the Archbishop in presenting an award to someone who openly praised Osama bin Laden is staggering - and on the anniversary of 9/11, too.
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who → say → 9/11
‘Our leaders must face up to the reality that not all cultures are based on the same foundations as ours, and not all share our desire for co-operation and freedom.’
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all → face → operation
Tim Dieppe, Head of Public Policy at Christian Concern, said: ‘The absurdity of this beggars belief.
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absurdity → say → belief
How can a Christian leader give an award for reconciliation to someone who has honoured Osama Bin Laden?
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who → give → Laden
To someone who supports the draconian blasphemy laws in Pakistan which are a source of persecution of Christians?
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which → support → Christians
‘The only justification for meeting such a man is to pressure him about the treatment of Christians in Pakistan.
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justification → meet → Pakistan
Mullaly should issue an immediate apology to Christians who are being persecuted in Pakistan.
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who → issue → Pakistan
She should call for an end to the draconian blasphemy laws there.’
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She → call → laws
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.
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she → ask → husband
A caption on its Flickr page stated: ‘Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi and his wife are presented with The Hubert Walter Award for Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation by The Most Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally, Archbishop of Canterbury for his outstanding work as an ambassador of interfaith harmony in Pakistan at The Lambeth Awards 2026 held at Lambeth Palace.’
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Ashrafi → state → Palace
Tory MP Neil O’Brien said: ‘I think the niqab is oppressive and makes women second class citizens.
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women → say → ?
It is clearly not required in Islam.
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It → require → Islam
While this is a free country, it should be discouraged at all levels.’
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it → discourage → levels
Lambeth Palace has been contacted for comment.
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Palace → contact → comment
The Aporia
