Canterbury Archbishop faces backlash for honoring cleric who praised Bin Laden on 9/11 anniversary
Archbishop Sarah Mullally presented the Hubert Walter Award for Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation to Pakistani cleric Tahir Ashrafi on September 11, prompting criticism because Ashrafi once lauded Osama Bin Laden.
On the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally handed the Hubert Walter Award for Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation to Pakistani scholar Tahir Ashrafi at Lambeth Palace. Ashrafi chairs a council of Islamic scholars that, in 2007, awarded Bin Laden the title “Saifullah” in retaliation for the UK knighting author Salman Rushdie. The award has sparked outrage from 2017 Westminster Bridge attack survivor Travis Frain, Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy, and Christian Concern’s Tim Dieppe, who demand an apology and meetings with terrorism victims.
The ceremony’s photos omitted Ashrafi’s wife’s name, despite her presence, fueling further criticism. Tory MP Neil O’Brien also used the occasion to comment on the niqab. Lambeth Palace has not responded to requests for comment.
Why it matters
The controversy raises questions about interfaith recognition and sensitivity to victims of terrorism.
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