The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev. Sarah Mullally, is facing significant criticism following the presentation of an award for ‘Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation’ to Muslim cleric Tahir Ashrafi. The controversy is amplified by the fact that the award was given on the 25th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks.

Ashrafi, who chairs a group of Islamic scholars in Pakistan, received the award at a ceremony at Lambeth Palace. Critics point out that the Pakistan Ulema Council, led by Ashrafi, previously honored Osama bin Laden. This honor was reportedly bestowed in retaliation for Britain awarding a knighthood to author Salman Rushdie, known for his work "The Satanic Verses."

In a June 2007 statement, Ashrafi was quoted as saying, "We are pleased to award the title of Saifullah to Osama bin Laden after the British government’s decision to bestow the title of ‘Sir’ on blasphemer Rushdie. This is the highest title for a Muslim warrior." He further stated that if a blasphemer could be knighted by the West, then a fighter for Islam against various global powers should receive a lofty Islamic title.

Mullally, the first female spiritual head of the Church of England, is now being urged to apologize and to meet with victims of terrorism. Travis Frain, a survivor of the 2017 Westminster Bridge attack and founder of the Resilience in Unity Project, expressed dismay at the Archbishop's "grave misjudgement." Frain stated, "Giving an award for 'interfaith and reconciliation' to a man who honored Osama Bin Laden, the architect of misery for so many of all faiths and a man responsible for thousands of deaths, shows a grave misjudgement by the Church – made even more egregious by the fact that this award was given on the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks."

Frain also called on the Archbishop to engage with victims to understand the hurt caused and to recognize the work of survivors who promote unity and counter radicalization. He contrasted this with those who honor perpetrators of attacks.

Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy described the Archbishop's actions as "staggering naivety" and suggested that leaders must acknowledge that not all cultures share the same foundations or desire for cooperation and freedom.

Tim Dieppe, Head of Public Policy at Christian Concern, questioned the appropriateness of a Christian leader honoring someone who praised Bin Laden and supports Pakistan's blasphemy laws, which he described as a source of persecution for Christians. Dieppe asserted that Mullally appeared uninformed about Ashrafi and Islam, and that the only justification for meeting such an individual would be to pressure him on the treatment of Christians in Pakistan. He called for an immediate apology and for an end to the blasphemy laws.

Additional scrutiny has focused on Lambeth Palace's decision to present the award to Ashrafi's wife, who was veiled, without naming her in online photographs of the ceremony. A caption on the palace's Flickr page identified her simply as "his wife."

Tory MP Neil O'Brien commented on the veil, stating, "I think the niqab is oppressive and makes women second class citizens. It is clearly not required in Islam. While this is a free country, it should be discouraged at all levels."

Lambeth Palace has been approached for comment on the matter. The award presentation took place on September 11, 2026.