Archbishop of Canterbury faces resignation calls following controversial award

A petition calling for the resignation of Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally has gained over 3,700 signatures following her decision to present an award to a Muslim cleric on the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. The Hubert Walter Award for Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation was given to Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, a Pakistani cleric who previously faced criticism for past remarks regarding Osama bin Laden. While representatives for Ashrafi dispute that his comments constituted an endorsement of the terrorist leader, the timing of the award drew significant public backlash.

Archbishop Mullally initially presented the honor to recognize Ashrafi’s advocacy for religious minorities in Pakistan, including the nation's Christian population. The Church of England subsequently withdrew the award approximately one week later. Petition organizer Emma Ash stated that the incident raises concerns regarding the Church's due diligence processes and its commitment to listening to the voices of those affected by terrorism. The petition, which was originally launched eight months ago, saw a surge in support following the controversy.