Archbishop of Canterbury Withdraws Interfaith Award Following Controversy

Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally has withdrawn an award for reconciliation and interfaith cooperation previously presented to Pakistani cleric Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi. The ceremony, held at Lambeth Palace on the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, drew significant public and political criticism regarding the recipient’s alleged past comments concerning Osama bin Laden.

Critics, including Conservative Members of Parliament Nick Timothy and Rebecca Paul, expressed concern over the optics of the event. In a letter to the Archbishop, they highlighted the contrast between the Church of England’s teaching on the equal dignity of men and women and the presence of the recipient’s wife, who was wearing a niqab during the ceremony. The incident has sparked broader debate regarding the Church’s interfaith initiatives and its public standing in the current political climate.