Evening Standard
· collected 2026-09-17 · by Y. Áine Fox
On September 11, 2021, Imam Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi received an interfaith co-operation award from Lambeth Palace in London. However, the award was later withdrawn due to his past remarks supporting Osama bin Laden in 2007. The National Secular Society criticized this decision, calling it "obscene," especially given its timing on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Ashrafi’s spokesperson defended the imam's comments, stating they were meant to highlight the hurt caused by Salman Rushdie receiving a knighthood in Britain and not an endorsement of bin Laden.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-17,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, awarded Tahir Ashrafi a prize for "Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation" on September 11, 2023, exactly 25 years after the 9/11 attacks. However, it was later revealed that in 2007, Mr. Ashrafi's Pakistan Ulema Council had honored Osama Bin Laden with a religious title meaning "Sword of Allah" as retaliation for Salman Rushdie being knighted by Britain. This led to significant backlash from critics and the award was subsequently withdrawn by Lambeth Palace. The National Secular Society called the initial award ceremony "obscene." Mr. Ashrafi's office maintained that his comments were taken out of context, stating they came during protests in Pakistan against Rushdie's knighthood.
Written for “Archbishop Withdraws Controversial Award” on 2026-09-18,
grounded in this article and the 3 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The model judged this article politically coded and scored it -0.45, but every quote it verified points right, so the score is not published.
Written under an earlier scoring contract, which gave a paragraph
rather than checkable quotes. Re-analysing this article replaces it.
Leaning score withheld for article 16675: score contradicts its own evidence · logged 2026-09-17
Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi was given an award on Friday, the 25th anniversary of 9/11, by Dame Sarah Mullally for reconciliation and interfaith co-operation.
asserted
Ashrafi → give → reconciliation
In 2007, as head of the Pakistan Ulema Council group of Islamic clerics and scholars, the imam said he would give bin Laden – the orchestrator of the September 11 terror attacks – the title Saifullah, which means “Sword of God”, for “serving Muslims by waging jihad against infidels”.
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which → say → infidels
A caption accompanying an image of Mr Ashrafi receiving his award last week said he was being recognised “for his outstanding work as an ambassador of interfaith harmony in Pakistan”.
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he → accompany → Pakistan
The National Secular Society (NSS) branded the award presentation “obscene, and almost beyond parody”, having taken place on the anniversary of the terror attack that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people, including 67 British citizens.
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that → brand → citizens
In a statement, a spokesperson for Mr Ashrafi said his remarks were being reported “without their proper context”.
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remarks → say → context
His 2007 comments on bin Laden came amid protests in Pakistan against Satanic Verses author Salman Rushdie being given a knighthood in Britain.
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Rushdie → come → Britain
Mr Ashrafi told the Press Association he had been “giving an example” at the time to demonstrate the equivalence in offence caused to the Muslim community by the awarding of an honour to Mr Rushdie.
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he → tell → Rushdie
He insisted the title had not actually been bestowed on bin Laden.
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title → insist → Laden
His spokesperson said: “Regarding Osama bin Laden, Ashrafi’s remarks have been presented without their proper context.
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remarks → say → context
Read More
“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.
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it → read → Rushdie
“His longstanding record against terrorism and violent extremism should be considered when assessing such remarks.”
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record → consider → remarks
Alejandro Sanchez, an NSS spokesperson, said: “It is obscene, and almost beyond parody, that the Archbishop of Canterbury has awarded an Osama Bin Laden apologist an interfaith award on the anniversary of 9/11.
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Archbishop → say → 9/11
“This demonstrates appallingly poor judgment and is an insult to the victims of 9/11 and their families.
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This → demonstrate → 9/11
“Interfaith engagement must not mean overlooking support for extremism.
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engagement → mean → extremism
The Archbishop of Canterbury should explain what due diligence was undertaken, whether those responsible knew about his actions, and whether the award will now be withdrawn.”
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award → explain → actions
Lambeth Palace said the award had been given “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”.
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that → say → 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.”
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that → add → differences
But given the “previous comments” the Palace said had “come to light”, Mr Ashrafi was contacted to make him aware his award had been withdrawn.
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award → give → light
Mr Ashrafi’s spokesperson also responded to some online criticism of his wife and daughter wearing religious garments with their faces covered in the photograph.
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faces → respond → photograph
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 one of 27 people presented with a Lambeth Award last week, recognising recipients’ “extraordinary contributions to the Church of England, the Anglican Communion and wider society”.
It was the first time Dame Sarah had presented the Lambeth Awards since taking office earlier this year.
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Sarah → say → office
The Aporia
