Archbishop of Canterbury revokes award given to cleric who praised Osama bin Laden

The Archbishop of Canterbury's office has withdrawn an award presented to a Muslim cleric who previously pledged to bestow an honorary title on Osama bin Laden.

Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi was given The Hubert Walter Award for Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation by Dame Sarah Mullally last Friday - the 25th anniversary of 9/11.

However, Lambeth Palace withdrew the award after it emerged that in 2007, Mr Ashrafi said he would give bin Laden - the orchestrator of the September 11 terror attacks which claimed nearly 3,000 lives - the title Saifullah, which means "Sword of God", for "serving Muslims by waging jihad against infidels".

An image of Mr Ashrafi receiving his award last week was accompanied by a caption saying he was being recognised "for his outstanding work as an ambassador of interfaith harmony in Pakistan".

Lambeth Palace said it had rescinded the accolade, saying "previous comments made by Imam Ashrafi have come to light".

In a statement, a spokesperson for Mr Ashrafi said his remarks had been reported "without their proper context" and that the comments were "not an endorsement of bin Laden".

The statement said: "His [Mr Ashrafi's] longstanding record against terrorism and violent extremism should be considered when assessing such remarks."

It added that Mr Ashrafi's comments on bin Laden in 2007 came amid protests in Pakistan against Sir Salman Rushdie being given a knighthood in Britain.

Rushdie is the author of Satanic Verses, a book which some Muslims consider blasphemous.

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 Rushdie.

Read more from Sky News:
Charles allegedly 'giddily elated' in phone call after Diana's death
Plea to avoid another 'inhumane' heatwave on NHS wards

The National Secular Society chief executive Stephen Evans said he welcomed the withdrawal of the award, adding that "it is astonishing that it was given in the first place - on the anniversary of 9/11, no less".

Mr Evans said: "This episode reveals not only appallingly poor judgement and inadequate due diligence, but a dangerous naivety about the religious figures legitimised through interfaith engagement."

(c) Sky News 2026: Archbishop of Canterbury revokes award given to cleric who praised Osama bin Laden