Archbishop of Canterbury revokes interfaith award over cleric's past comments

The short version

• The Archbishop of Canterbury's office withdrew the Hubert Walter Award for Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation from Pakistani Muslim cleric Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi.[BBC News · Fox News]
• The decision followed public backlash after 2007 statements surfaced in which Ashrafi praised Osama bin Laden and described him as fighting for Islam.[BBC News · Fox News]
• Ashrafi told the BBC that his past comments were taken out of context and constituted an unfair campaign against him.[BBC News · Fox News]

Key facts

• The Archbishop of Canterbury's office withdrew an interfaith reconciliation award previously presented to Maulana Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi.[BBC News · Fox News]
• Lambeth Palace reconsidered the honor after 2007 remarks emerged showing Ashrafi called Osama bin Laden the 'Sword of God' and claimed he fought for Islam.[BBC News · Fox News]
• Ashrafi stated that his 2007 remarks were taken out of context and were made in response to the British government awarding a knighthood to author Salman Rushdie.[BBC News · Fox News]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• Archbishop of Canterbury withdraws award from Muslim cleric after past Osama bin Laden praise surfacesFox News - World News
• Archbishop of Canterbury withdraws award from Muslim cleric who praised Osama bin LadenBBC News - Top Stories