--- title: "Archbishop revokes award to cleric over Osama bin Laden remarks" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/archbishop-revokes-award-to-cleric-over-osama-bin-laden-remarks" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/archbishop-revokes-award-to-cleric-over-osama-bin-laden-remarks" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/archbishop-revokes-award-to-cleric-over-osama-bin-laden-remarks.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/archbishop-revokes-award-to-cleric-over-osama-bin-laden-remarks" category: "Politics" area: "United Kingdom" published: "2026-09-18T11:45:49.208Z" source_reported: "2026-09-18T11:13:36.000Z" updated: "2026-09-18T11:45:49.208Z" trust_score: 42 critic_score: 57 hype_score: 41 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-09-18T11:45:21.772501+00:00" --- # Archbishop revokes award to cleric over Osama bin Laden remarks *Lambeth Palace withdrew the honour after past comments by Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi resurfaced.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Central claim attributed to Lambeth Palace statement; spokesperson quoted; two independent outlets cited. - Craft 57 of 100, higher is better. Fact kept separate from comment; affected parties quoted; story holds together. - Hype 41 of 100, lower is better. Headline promises more than the body delivers; some loaded adjectives used. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Lambeth Palace revoked an award given to Muslim cleric Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi. - The award was for reconciliation and interfaith co-operation. - Ashrafi had previously stated in 2007 that Osama bin Laden should be given the title 'Saifullah', meaning 'Sword of God'. - A spokesperson for Ashrafi stated his remarks were taken out of context and made during a protest against Salman Rushdie's knighthood. Lambeth Palace has revoked an award given to Muslim cleric Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi. The honour, the Hubert Walter Award, was presented for reconciliation and interfaith co-operation. The decision to withdraw the award followed the resurfacing of comments Ashrafi made in 2007. In 2007, Ashrafi, then head of the Pakistan Ulema Council, stated that Osama bin Laden should be given the title 'Saifullah', meaning 'Sword of God'. A spokesperson for Ashrafi stated that these remarks were taken out of context and were made during a protest against Salman Rushdie's knighthood. The spokesperson added that Ashrafi's comments were intended to show the hurt felt by Muslims over the honour given to Rushdie, and not an endorsement of bin Laden. They also highlighted Ashrafi's record against terrorism and violent extremism. ## Disagreement on context A spokesperson for Ashrafi stated his remarks about Osama bin Laden were taken out of context and made during a protest against Salman Rushdie's knighthood, as reported by Metro News. The National Secular Society, however, criticised the award, calling the comments 'obscene', according to Metro News. ## What the coverage left out None of the left-rated digests mention the National Secular Society's description of the comments as 'obscene'. None of the centre-rated digests mention the National Secular Society's criticism. None of the right-rated digests mention the specific date the award was given, nor the fact that it was presented by Dame Sarah Mullally. ## Who covered it Shares of the 33 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 24% (5) - Centre: 28% (10) - Right: 48% (18) 17 of 50 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-18T11:45:21.772501+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 2 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-18T12:15:18.964Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Left-rated reports led with the revocation of the award to Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi by Lambeth Palace. These reports noted that the award was for reconciliation and interfaith co-operation. They also stated that the award was revoked due to past comments made by Ashrafi about Osama bin Laden. The timing of the award, on the 25th anniversary of 9/11, was mentioned by Metro News and The Independent (US). ### Centre - Centre-rated reports focused on the withdrawal of the award by the Archbishop of Canterbury's office from Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi. They highlighted that the revocation was due to comments Ashrafi made in 2007 about Osama bin Laden. Reports from this side mentioned that the award was for interfaith co-operation. Sky News UK and BBC News stated that Lambeth Palace withdrew the award because 'previous comments' made by Ashrafi had 'come to light'. ### Right - Right-rated reports highlighted that the award given to Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi by the Archbishop of Canterbury was revoked due to his past comments, including praise for Osama bin Laden. Nova24tv.si described Ashrafi as an 'Islamist' and a 'Bin Laden supporter'. The Daily Sceptic reported that the cleric had also called Hamas attackers 'freedom fighters' and defended the death penalty for blasphemy. Spiked questioned why the Church of England was 'fawning over a hardline Muslim'. **Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - veryLow: 2 - low: 2 - mixed: 16 - high: 8 - unknown: 17 - veryHigh: 5 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [5Pillars](https://5pillarsuk.com/2026/09/18/archbishop-of-canterbury-withdraws-award-from-pakistani-imam-over-aq-leader-remarks) — Archbishop of Canterbury withdraws award from Pakistani imam over AQ leader remarks - [nova24tv.si](https://nova24tv.si/nadskofinja-anglikanske-cerkve-preklicala-odlikovanje-islamistu-ko-se-je-izkazalo-da-je-bin-ladnov-podpornik) — Anglican Archbishop Revokes Award to Islamist After It Turns Out He's a Bin Laden Supporter - [The Daily Sceptic](https://dailysceptic.org/2026/09/18/muslim-cleric-given-award-by-archbishop-called-hamas-freedom-fighters-praised-osama-bin-laden-and-said-men-can-have-four-wives) — Muslim Cleric Given Award by Archbishop Called Hamas "Freedom Fighters", Praised Osama Bin Laden and Said Men Can Have Four Wives - [Legit.ng - Nigeria news.](https://legit.ng/world/1731560-archbishop-canterbury-takes-major-action-muslim-cleric-praised-osama-bin-laden) — Archbishop of Canterbury takes major action against Muslim cleric who praised Osama Bin Laden - [Le Figaro](https://lefigaro.fr/international/royaume-uni-l-eglise-anglicane-retire-son-prix-a-un-religieux-musulman-pakistanais-auteur-de-propos-a-la-gloire-d-oussama-ben-laden-20260918) — United Kingdom: Anglican Church Withdraws Award From Pakistani Muslim Cleric, Author of Speech to the Glory of Osama Bin Laden - [The Jewish Chronicle](https://thejc.com/opinion/the-most-depressing-aspect-about-the-archbishop-honouring-ashrafi-is-how-unsurprising-it-is-nnyqw17g) — The most depressing aspect about the archbishop honouring Ashrafi is how unsurprising it is - [Unknown](https://risu.ua/liderka-anglikanskoyi-cerkvi-vidklikala-nagorodu-imamu-yakij-hvaliv-usamu-ben-ladena_n166422) — Church of England Leader Revokes Award to Imam Who Praised Osama Bin Laden - [Apollo News](https://apollo-news.net/preis-fr-vershnung-erzbischfin-ehrt-islamgelehrten-der-blasphemiegesetz-mit-todesstrafe-verteidigt) — Prize for "Reconciliation": Archbishop Honored Islamic Scholars Defending the Death Penalty for Blasphemy - [Spiked](https://spiked-online.com/2026/09/18/why-is-the-church-of-england-fawning-over-a-hardline-muslim) — Why is the Church of England fawning over a hardline Muslim? - [Unknown](https://alquds.co.uk/%D8%B1%D8%A6%D9%8A%D8%B3%D8%A9-%D8%A3%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%82%D9%81%D8%A9-%D9%83%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%8A-%D8%AA%D8%B3%D8%AD%D8%A8-%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%B2%D8%A9-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%88%D8%A7) — Archbishop Kanbury Is Withdrawing a Prize for Religious Dialogue From a Pakistani Scientist because of Previous Comments About Sif Allah Bin Laden. - [The Frontier Post](https://thefrontierpost.com/archbishop-withdraws-award-given-to-pakistani-cleric-who-praised-bin-laden) — Archbishop ‘withdraws’ award given to Pakistani cleric who praised bin Laden - [La Croix](https://la-croix.com/religion/royaume-uni-l-eglise-anglicane-retire-un-prix-a-un-religieux-musulman-ayant-honore-ben-laden-20260918) — United Kingdom: Anglican Church Wins Prize for Muslim Religious Honouring Bin Laden - [The Current](https://thecurrent.pk/tahir-ashrafi-loses-archbishop-of-canterbury-award-over-2007-obl-remarks) — Tahir Ashrafi loses Archbishop of Canterbury award over 2007 OBL remarks - [Independent Urdu](https://independenturdu.com/node/187825) — 'Hand of Indian and Ahmadi Lobby': Tahir Ashrafi on Return of Award - [Pakistan24](https://pakistan24.tv/2026/09/18/68640) — British Honor Given to Famous Pakistani Cleric Tahir Ashrafi Withdrawn a Week Later - [INTELLINEWS](https://intelli.news/2026/09/18/archbishop-of-canterbury-revokes-award-given-to-cleric-who-praised-bin-laden) — Archbishop of Canterbury revokes award given to cleric who praised Bin Laden - [Justice for Men & Boys](https://j4mb.org.uk/2026/09/18/archbishop-of-canterbury-sarah-mullaly-withdraws-award-from-muslim-cleric-who-praised-osama-bin-laden) — Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullaly withdraws award from Muslim cleric who praised Osama bin Laden. - [Sky News UK](https://news.sky.com/story/archbishop-of-canterbury-revokes-award-given-to-cleric-who-praised-osama-bin-laden-13589162) — Archbishop of Canterbury revokes award given to cleric who praised Osama bin Laden - [Internewscast](https://internewscast.com/news/us/archbishop-of-canterbury-revokes-award-from-cleric-over-past-osama-bin-laden-praise) — Archbishop of Canterbury Revokes Award From Cleric Over Past Osama bin Laden Praise - [nytimespost.com](https://nytimespost.com/archbishop-of-canterbury-withdraws-award-from-muslim-cleric-after-past-osama-bin-laden-praise-surfaces) — Archbishop of Canterbury withdraws award from Muslim cleric after past Osama bin Laden praise surfaces - NEW YORK TIMES POST - [WWBL](https://wwbl.com/2026/09/17/archbishop-of-canterbury-withdraws-award-from-muslim-cleric-after-past-osama-bin-laden-praise-surfaces) — Archbishop of Canterbury withdraws award from Muslim cleric after past Osama bin Laden praise surfaces - [democraticaccent.com](https://democraticaccent.com/archbishop-of-canterbury-withdraws-award-from-muslim-cleric-after-past-osama-bin-laden-praise-surfaces) — Archbishop of Canterbury withdraws award from Muslim cleric after past Osama bin Laden praise surfaces – Democratic Accent - [wfmd.com](https://wfmd.com/2026/09/17/archbishop-of-canterbury-withdraws-award-from-muslim-cleric-after-past-osama-bin-laden-praise-surfaces) — Archbishop of Canterbury withdraws award from Muslim cleric after past Osama bin Laden praise surfaces - [Fox News](https://foxnews.com/world/archbishop-canterbury-withdraws-award-muslim-cleric-osama-bin-laden-praise-surfaces) — Archbishop of Canterbury withdraws award from Muslim cleric after past Osama bin Laden praise surfaces - [Great Yorkshire Radio](https://greatyorkshireradio.co.uk/uk/archbishop-of-canterbury-revokes-award-given-to-cleric-who-praised-osama-bin-laden) — Archbishop Of Canterbury Revokes Award Given To Cleric Who Praised Osama Bin Laden - [National Post](https://nationalpost.com/news/world/archbishop-of-canterbury-withdraws-award-to-muslim-cleric) — Head of Church of England rescinds interfaith award given to Muslim cleric who praised bin Laden - [newenglishreview.org](https://newenglishreview.org/archbishop-withdraws-award-she-gave-to-cleric-who-praised-bin-laden) — Archbishop withdraws award she gave to cleric who praised Bin Laden - [The Gateway Pundit](https://thegatewaypundit.com/2026/09/outrage-9-11-church-englands-leading-bishop-archbishop) — OUTRAGE: On 9-11, Church of England’s Leading Bishop, Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally Presented ‘Reconciliation Award’ To Islamic Cleric Who Honored Osama bin Laden * The Gateway Pundit * by Paul Serran - [Metro News](https://metro.co.uk/2026/09/17/lambeth-palace-revokes-clerics-award-obscene-osama-bin-laden-remarks-29632409) — Lambeth Palace revokes cleric's award over 'obscene' Osama bin Laden remarks - [Unknown](https://dimokratia.gr/kosmos/746328/salos-sti-vretania-i-agglikaniki-ekklisia-vraveyse-pakistano-ieromeno-ymniti-toy-mpin) — Uproar in Britain: Anglican Church Awards Pakistani Priest Who Praised Bin Laden - [BBC News](https://bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckr50lrz5e6zo) — Archbishop withdraws award from Muslim cleric who praised Bin Laden - [RTÉ](https://rte.ie/news/uk/2026/0917/1591993-muslim-cleric-award-withdrawn) — Award to Muslim cleric withdrawn over bin Laden remarks - [Vanguard News](https://vanguardngr.com/2026/09/archbishop-withdraws-award-given-to-muslim-cleric-who-praised-bin-laden) — Archbishop 'withdraws' award given to Muslim cleric who praised bin Laden - [Le Journal de Quebec](https://journaldequebec.com/2026/09/17/leglise-anglicane-retire-un-prix-accorde-a-un-religieux-musulman-ayant-honore-ben-laden) — Anglican Church Wins Award for Muslim Religious Honouring Bin Laden - [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/news/uk/home-news/hafiz-muhammad-tahir-mehmood-ashrafi-award-revoked-b3052096.html) — Lambeth Palace revokes award to Muslim cleric over Osama bin Laden remarks - [Le Journal de Montreal](https://journaldemontreal.com/2026/09/17/leglise-anglicane-retire-un-prix-accorde-a-un-religieux-musulman-ayant-honore-ben-laden) — Anglican Church Wins Award for Muslim Religious Honouring Bin Laden - [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/hafiz-muhammad-tahir-mehmood-ashrafi-award-revoked-b3052096.html) — Lambeth Palace revokes award to Muslim cleric over Osama bin Laden remarks - [North Wales Chronicle](https://northwaleschronicle.co.uk/news/national/26560623.lambeth-palace-withdraws-award-muslim-cleric-osama-bin-laden-remarks) — Lambeth Palace withdraws award to Muslim cleric over Osama bin Laden remarks - [Protothema](https://protothema.gr/world/article/1880464/adidraseis-gia-tin-agglikaniki-ekklisia-vraveuse-ieromeno-pou-eihe-epainesei-osama-bin-laden) — Reactions to the Anglican Church: Priest Who Praised Osama Bin Laden Awarded for "Interfaith Cooperation" - [GB News](https://gbnews.com/news/archbishop-of-canterbury-award-islamic-cleric-osama-bin-laden) — Archbishop of Canterbury revokes award for Islamic cleric who praised 9/11 mastermind Osama Bin Laden - [PressNewsAgency](https://pressnewsagency.org/archbishop-of-canterbury-revokes-award-for-islamic-cleric-who-praised-9-11-mastermind-osama-bin-laden) — Archbishop of Canterbury revokes award for Islamic cleric who praised 9/11 mastermind Osama Bin Laden - [Stroud News & Journal](https://stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk/news/national/26560623.lambeth-place-withdraws-award-muslim-cleric-osama-bin-laden-remarks) — Lambeth Place withdraws award to Muslim cleric over Osama bin Laden remarks - [Evening Standard](https://standard.co.uk/news/uk/osama-bin-laden-muslim-archbishop-salman-rushdie-sarah-mullally-b1297397.html) — Lambeth Place withdraws award to Muslim cleric over Osama bin Laden remarks - [perspectivemedia.com](https://perspectivemedia.com/lambeth-place-withdraws-award-to-muslim-cleric-over-osama-bin-laden-remarks) — Lambeth Place withdraws award to Muslim cleric over Osama bin Laden remarks - [Libertad Digital](https://libertaddigital.com/internacional/europa/2026-09-17/la-arzobispa-de-canterbury-premia-a-un-islamista-paquistani-y-se-fotografia-con-su-mujer-oculta-tras-un-niqab-7461780) — Canterbury's Archdiocese Rewards a Pakistani Islamist and Photographs Himself with His Wife Hidden Behind a Niqab - [anglican.ink](https://anglican.ink/2026/09/17/archbishops-interfaith-award-to-radical-muslim-cleric-sparks-criticism) — Archbishop’s interfaith award to radical Muslim cleric sparks criticism | Anglican Ink © 2026 - [Daily Express](https://express.co.uk/news/politics/2249525/archbishop-gave-award-islamic-scholar) — Archbishop gave award to Islamic scholar that praised Bin Laden - [Hot Air](https://hotair.com/david-strom/2026/09/17/whats-the-point-anymore-archbishop-of-canterbury-celebrates-islamist-n3819089) — What's the Point Anymore? Archbishop of Canterbury Celebrates Islamic Extremist - [dailymail.com](https://dailymail.com/news/article-16138975/Archbishop-Canterbury-fire-giving-Reconciliation-Interfaith-Cooperation-award-Muslim-cleric-praised-Bin-Laden-anniversary-9-11.html) — Archbishop gave award on 9/11 to Muslim cleric who praised Bin Laden - [JUNGE FREIHEIT](https://jungefreiheit.de/politik/ausland/2026/anglikanische-kirche-ehrt-islamischen-christenhasser-mit-versoehnungs-preis) — Anglican Church Honors Islamic Christians Haters with Reconciliation Prize ## Questions **Why was the award to Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi revoked?** Lambeth Palace revoked the award due to past comments made by Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi in 2007, in which he stated that Osama bin Laden should be given the title 'Saifullah', meaning 'Sword of God'. These comments resurfaced, leading to the withdrawal of the honour. **What was the award given for?** The award, the Hubert Walter Award, was given to Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi for his work in reconciliation and interfaith co-operation. He was recognised for his contributions as an ambassador of interfaith harmony in Pakistan. **What is the explanation for Ashrafi's comments about Osama bin Laden?** A spokesperson for Ashrafi stated that his remarks were taken out of context and were made during a protest against Salman Rushdie's knighthood. The spokesperson explained that the comments were intended to illustrate the hurt felt by Muslims over the honour given to Rushdie, rather than endorse bin Laden. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/archbishop-revokes-award-to-cleric-over-osama-bin-laden-remarks. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Archbishop revokes award to cleric over Osama bin Laden remarks", https://mediabias.news/politics/archbishop-revokes-award-to-cleric-over-osama-bin-laden-remarks