Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi has received the Hubert Walter Award for Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation at a ceremony held at the historic Lambeth Palace in London. The international recognition honours his decades-long work promoting peace, religious dialogue, moderation and cooperation between different faith and sectarian communities.
The award was presented by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, during a prestigious ceremony attended by distinguished guests. Ashrafi was recognised for his contribution to reconciliation, interfaith harmony, minority rights and peaceful coexistence, as well as his opposition to extremism, terrorism and sectarian violence.
Recognition for Peacebuilding
The Hubert Walter Award is among the Lambeth Awards presented by the Archbishop of Canterbury to individuals who have made distinguished contributions to reconciliation and interfaith cooperation.
According to details released by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Ashrafi was among the figures honoured across five categories this year. His selection for the award reflects international recognition of his efforts to promote dialogue and build understanding between religious communities.
For Ashrafi, the honour represents recognition of work that has extended over several decades and across different countries and communities. His activities have focused on encouraging mutual respect while advocating peaceful coexistence and the protection of vulnerable and minority communities.
The Hubert Walter Award also highlights the importance of religious leaders taking an active role in addressing intolerance and division. At a time when religious and sectarian tensions can affect communities across borders, dialogue and cooperation remain important tools for reducing conflict.
Promoting Interfaith Harmony
Ashrafi has remained involved in efforts to bring different religious and sectarian communities closer together. His work has included promoting moderation, dialogue and respect while speaking against religious hatred and violence.
He has also maintained a strong commitment to his Islamic identity while engaging with people from different faith backgrounds. This approach has allowed him to participate in religious diplomacy and interfaith initiatives at both national and international levels.
The recognition comes as another international acknowledgment of these efforts. Ashrafi had previously received the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Global Peace Award for his contributions to peace, harmony and cooperation.
The two honours are separate awards, with the OIC recognition reflecting appreciation within the Muslim world and the Hubert Walter Award representing recognition from a wider international interfaith community.
A Message Beyond Borders
Ashrafi’s peacebuilding journey has taken him from Pakistan to Makkah and then to wider international platforms. Throughout this work, he has promoted messages of peace, brotherhood, tolerance, moderation and dialogue.
He has also spoken in support of people facing religious discrimination and other forms of vulnerability. His opposition to extremism and sectarian violence has remained a consistent part of his public engagement.
The award therefore carries significance beyond an individual achievement. It also places greater attention on the role that religious scholars and community leaders can play in promoting peaceful coexistence.
In societies where religious differences can sometimes become sources of tension, efforts to create spaces for communication can help strengthen mutual understanding.
International Recognition for Pakistan
The Hubert Walter Award is also being viewed as a significant international recognition for Pakistan. Ashrafi’s selection highlights work associated with religious harmony, moderation and dialogue on an international stage.
His involvement with organisations in different parts of the Muslim and interfaith world has provided opportunities to engage with a broad range of religious and community leaders.
Ashrafi currently serves in several international and religious organisations. He is a member of the Supreme Council of the Muslim World League, Secretary-General of the International Tazeem-e-Haramain Sharifain Council and a member of the International Muslim Forum.
These positions have contributed to his involvement in wider discussions concerning religious cooperation, community relations and peaceful coexistence.
Continuing the Work
Receiving the Hubert Walter Award marks an important milestone in Ashrafi’s long involvement in peacebuilding and religious dialogue. However, the issues highlighted by the award remain ongoing challenges for communities around the world.
Extremism, sectarian violence, discrimination and religious intolerance continue to require responses based on dialogue, education and responsible leadership. Religious figures can play an important role in encouraging communities to reject violence and develop greater respect for people from different backgrounds.
Ashrafi’s recognition at Lambeth Palace places his work within that wider international conversation.
The Hubert Walter Award ultimately reflects the value of reconciliation and interfaith cooperation and recognises efforts aimed at building bridges rather than divisions. For Ashrafi, the honour adds another international distinction to a career centred on peace, moderation, dialogue and the promotion of peaceful coexistence.
