Anglican Church of England Withdraws Prize from Pakistani Religious Leader Over Past Comments on Osama bin Laden

The Anglican Church of England has withdrawn a prize for interreligious cooperation awarded to Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi, a leader of the Pakistan Ulema Council, following controversy over his past statements. The award, given by Archbishop Sarah Mullally on 11 September, was part of a list recognizing 27 individuals for their contributions to reconciliation and interfaith dialogue. The decision to revoke the honor came after media outlets highlighted Ashrafi’s 2007 remarks, in which he praised Osama bin Laden and condemned Salman Rushdie as a “blasphemator.”

The controversy emerged when The Telegraph and The Daily Mail reported on Ashrafi’s earlier comments, which were made in response to Queen Elizabeth II’s decision to honor Salman Rushdie. At the time, Ashrafi stated that the Pakistan Ulema Council had decided to honor bin Laden, the founder of Al-Qaida, as a form of protest against the British government’s recognition of Rushdie. The Church of England, in a press release, stated it had “reviewed the case urgently” and decided to withdraw the distinction due to the nature of Ashrafi’s past statements.

The Church of England initially cited Ashrafi’s “long-standing support to religious minorities in Pakistan, particularly the Christian community” as the reason for the award. However, the decision to revoke the honor sparked criticism, with some calling the Archbishop’s actions naive. Conservative MP Nick Timothy expressed disappointment, while far-right activist Tommy Robinson mocked the gesture on social media.

A spokesperson for Ashrafi defended his remarks, stating they were presented “out of context.” He argued that the comparison was meant to highlight the pain felt by many Muslims in response to Rushdie’s honor, rather than an endorsement of bin Laden. The Pakistan Ulema Council, which Ashrafi represents, claims its mission is to “stop the resurgence of sectarian violence and interfaith confrontations” in Pakistan.

The incident underscores the complex challenges of interfaith dialogue, where historical and political sensitivities can complicate efforts to foster mutual understanding. As Micah 6:8 reminds us, the pursuit of justice, mercy, and humility remains central to the work of reconciliation.

Source: Read the original report (translated from French)