Farage Slams Archbishop Over Bin Laden Cleric

Nigel Farage has hit out at the Archbishop of Canterbury following widespread outrage over an interfaith award given to a cleric who previously praised Osama bin Laden. Lambeth Palace subsequently withdrew the honor after intense public backlash.

The controversy erupted after Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi was presented with the Hubert Walter Award for Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation. The presentation took place on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, drawing immediate condemnation from political figures and secular groups alike.

Ashrafi heads the Pakistan Ulema Council, which in two thousand and seven stated it would bestow the honorary title Saifullah, meaning Sword of God, upon the al-Qaeda leader. The decision to honor him on such a solemn anniversary was branded by the National Secular Society as obscene and almost beyond parody.

Award Withdrawn Following Backlash

Following the fierce public outcry, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s office confirmed that the award had been formally withdrawn. A spokesperson for Ashrafi attempted to defend the remarks, claiming they were presented without proper context and were intended as a comparison regarding political grievances rather than an endorsement of the terrorist leader.

Regarding Osama bin Laden, Ashrafi’s remarks have been presented without their proper context. His comparison was not an endorsement of bin Laden.

— Spokesperson for Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, Daily Express

• Award presented on the 25th anniversary of 9/11
• Recipient previously linked to praise for Osama bin Laden
• National Secular Society condemned the presentation
• Lambeth Palace withdrew the honor following backlash

The incident has intensified scrutiny surrounding vetting standards and decision-making within senior religious institutions, leaving politicians and the public demanding answers over how the oversight occurred.

Original source: Read the full report at Daily Express