Lambeth Palace withdraws award to cleric over bin Laden remarks

Lambeth Palace has withdrawn an award for reconciliation and interfaith co-operation that was previously presented to Muslim cleric Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi. The decision was made after comments made by Ashrafi in 2007 resurfaced, in which he stated he would bestow an honorary title on Osama bin Laden.

Award presented on 9/11 anniversary

The award was presented by Archbishop of Canterbury Dame Sarah Mullally on Friday, which marked the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks. Ashrafi was recognised for his work as an ambassador of interfaith harmony in Pakistan.

In 2007, when Ashrafi was the head of the Pakistan Ulema Council, he reportedly said he would give bin Laden, the orchestrator of the 9/11 attacks, the title Saifullah, meaning 'Sword of God', for 'serving Muslims by waging jihad against infidels'. Ashrafi's 2007 comments were made during protests in Pakistan against the knighthood awarded to author Salman Rushdie.

Concerns raised over comments

The National Secular Society described the award presentation as 'obscene, and almost beyond parody', given it occurred on the anniversary of the attacks that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people, including 67 British citizens. A spokesperson for Ashrafi stated that his remarks were being reported 'without their proper context'.

Lambeth Palace confirmed the award's withdrawal, stating: '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to light that have led Lambeth Palace to reconsider this award and we can now confirm today that the award has been withdrawn.'

Ashrafi reportedly told the Press Association that he had been 'giving an example' at the time to illustrate the offence caused to the Muslim community by the honouring of Mr Rushdie. He also insisted that the title had not actually been bestowed on bin Laden.