Anglican interreligious gaffe could create backlash against Pakistani Christians, says former Anglican bishops

Former Anglican bishop Monsignor Michael Nazir-Ali warned that Christians in Pakistan may face a backlash following a controversy involving an award given by the Anglican Church. The issue arose after the Church of Pakistan's Moderator, Bishop Azad Marshall, selected Islamic cleric Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi to receive the Hubert Walter Award for Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation 2026.

Archbishop of Canterbury Dame Sarah Mullally presented the award to Ashrafi in London on September 11. However, media scrutiny followed the resurfacing of past comments made by Ashrafi, which included praise for Osama bin Laden and suicide bombers, as well as support for Pakistan's blasphemy laws. Lambeth Palace announced it would withdraw the award on September 17.

Nazir-Ali, the former Anglican bishop of Rochester, stated that church leaders in Pakistan fear the decision to rescind the award could be viewed as a dishonor to Islam and the country. He noted that this situation could damage relationships and create repercussions for the Christian community in Pakistan.