Tahir Ashrafi had described al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden as a mujahid fighting for Islam against Russia, the United States and Britain.
LONDON, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 18th Sep, 2026) The Archbishop of Canterbury has withdrawn an award given to Pakistani religious leader Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi. The award was presented last week in recognition of his efforts to promote interfaith harmony, religious tolerance and cooperation among different faiths in Pakistan.
The award was presented to Tahir Ashrafi by Dame Sarah Mullally at a ceremony held to mark the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001.
However, questions were raised about the award after some of Tahir Ashrafi’s past statements regarding Osama bin Laden resurfaced.
According to the BBC, reports referred to statements made by Tahir Ashrafi in 2007 in which he described al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden as a mujahid fighting against the United States, Britain and Russia.
In another statement attributed to him, he reportedly expressed a desire to give bin Laden the title “Saifullah,” meaning “the Sword of Allah.”
Speaking to the BBC, Tahir Ashrafi maintained that his previous statements were being presented out of context and that the reaction against him was part of an unfair campaign.
Meanwhile, a statement issued by Lambeth Palace said the award had been reviewed after some of Tahir Ashrafi’s past comments came to light, and confirmed that it had now been withdrawn.
