And Mr Ashrafi told the Church Times on Wednesday that he had been subject to “propaganda” and that comments about his wife’s wearing of the niqab had caused her to be “in grief”.

UK: Muslim Scholar “Awards Débâcle” Deserves Apology from Lambeth Palace – Moderator of Church of Pakistan! (24.9.2026)

Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi was given the Hubert Walter Award for Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation on 11 September for his “outstanding work as an ambassador of interfaith harmony in Pakistan” (News online, 18 September). A week later, Lambeth Palace announced that it had been withdrawn, after previous comments made by Mr Ashrafi came to light, including a decision to honour Osama bin Laden as a “Sword of God” in response to Salman Rushdie’s being given a knighthood.

In an interview with Canon Chris Sugden on the Anglican Mainstream website on Saturday, Dr Marshall said that the Church of Pakistan had been “deeply humiliated” by the withdrawal of the award to Mr Ashrafi. “He trusted Canterbury as a Church office and took his wife and daughter there. This is a highest offence against him and us.”

And Mr Ashrafi told the Church Times on Wednesday that he had been subject to “propaganda” and that comments about his wife’s wearing of the niqab had caused her to be “in grief”.

The Good Iman, Wife & Daughter Receiving the Award in London!

Church of Pakistan: Iman Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi [طاہر محمود اشرفی] Receives “Global Peace Award”! (19.9.2026)

As an individual with no political power – the Iman has stated that the existing “blasphemy law” should not be misused to attack non-Muslims – but he broadly supports punishing bona fide attacks on his faith (what more could he do – considering the situation he is in?). Bear in mind that the CofE has been historically riddled with allegations of paedophilia, and permits St Pauk’s Cathedral to me used for “raves”. Furthermore, whether an individual (or group) is Christian or not – the CofE permits people to use Churches as “hotels” over a single night or a number of nights – indeed, this highly expensive and lucrative development is termed “Champing”! I have personal experience of this – as I stayed over-night in a local Church assessing if claims of “hauntings” had any validity (there was no evidence). I note the CofE has registered the term “Champing” as a “Trade Mark” (after-all, the CofE has only just ended its long-term investment in the arms industry). I support a universal freedom of thought that gives equal weight to “believing” and “not-believing” in religion. Religionists must accommodate and accept atheism and non-theism – just as secularists must tolerant those who believe in a sky-spirit. Religions tolerating one another’s delusions is not the answer – it is just a step. Religionists should not be offended by my words.