Canterbury Withdraws 9/11 Anniversary Award From Ashrafi Over 2007 bin Laden Praise
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 18
Canterbury Withdraws 9/11 Anniversary Award From Ashrafi Over 2007 bin Laden Praise
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 18
Summary
Lambeth Palace reversed an interfaith award just days after giving it to Pakistani cleric Maulana Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi at a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.
2007 remarks triggered the decision after they resurfaced, including Ashrafi's reported praise for Osama bin Laden as fighting for Islam and his saying he would give him the title "Saifullah," or "Sword of God."
Ashrafi told the BBC his comments were taken out of context and called the backlash an unfair campaign, saying he made them amid anger over Salman Rushdie's knighthood.
The award had cited Ashrafi's support for religious minorities and interfaith harmony in Pakistan, while Lambeth Palace said it still backs dialogue across deep differences and prays for Pakistan's Christian community.