Has everyone seen the photo of the Archbishop of Canterbury presenting an award to Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi? If not, please have a look

[TheStateWeAreIn]

I don’t know what to say really, I just want as many women on MN as possible to see this picture.

Particularly Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi‘s wife.

There’s so much going on there.

(I know there’s another thread about the award and it’s subsequent withdrawal, I just wanted to start a thread to focus on the photo)

I agree. I assume the CoE, like any other major organisation, has researchers and advisors checking on background issues and pertinent histories?

If anyone’s resignation should be called for, it’s these individuals who allowed such an appalling gaff to happen.

I hope I’m not sexist; but the AofC is the top of the tree and, man or woman, you can’t delegate responsibility. She presented this award in person - it wasn’t given out by a bishop without her knowledge.

I don’t doubt that she was doing the whole inclusive/kind thing, but this man is not a good person and as someone claiming to want to fight misogyny she was doing a sterling job here of supporting it.

I don't know whether it's fair to pin the whole blame for this fiasco onto the AoC. But interfaith reconciliation always strikes me as being about the leadership of the Church of England handwringing about the supposed wrongdoings of the past and kowtowing to other religions, especially Islam, when other religions never ever admit that they've done bad things too.

I can imaging Sarah Mullally is fully signed up to all this and her congregation can't be doing with it.

Here is a woman who has risen to the highest position in the Church of England because of our liberal society and beliefs in equality for men and women giving an award to a man whose religion and beliefs require his wife to wear a living shroud with two tiny holes for her eyes.

Actually Islam does not require women to cover their faces. You're confusing culture with religion.

Educate yourself.

How is Christianity kowtowing to Islam?

Made up nonsense.

Well said.

How utterly feminist to tell Muslim women what not to wear.

@nomas - you’ve been had…. Snort at praising Debbie’s posts.

How far does your support of fundamentalist Islamic culture go? Is it a woman’s right to undergo FGM? Her right to walk behind her husband? Her right to not participate in sport/games etc after puberty?

Using only one eye outside?

I agree with Debbie’s words. Which ones do you object to?

FGM isn’t an Islamic culture, nor is banning girls from sport.

Educate yourself.

Sneering at women you supposedly want to support.

Are you in favour of that rule in Afghanistan? Surely not.

The UK isn't Afghanistan.

@nomas - I think it’s you who needs some education. I think you’ll find that Debbie is channelling Titiana McGrath (or maybe even is Titiana McGrath!).

Your support of this photo opportunity is merely political posturing.

I didn't get that impression. I'm taking her words a face value. No idea who 'Titiana' is.

If you have an issue with her words, take it up with Debbie.

Do you think the women there want that rule? Why would anyone support it.

What does Afghanistan have to do with the photo?

Yes, could be Titiana McGrath's sister. There can never be enough woke bxllocks in the world.

Your post was interesting, you mention lack of support when women in Afghanistan really do need support.

Oh well people will turn a blind eye.

As for the image which I find stark I’d like to see more alignment with Denmark and the other countries listed below.

How are you supporting the women of Afghanistan by sneering at their plight?

A think a donation to an Afghan women's charity would be more helpful to them.

Oh good, someone who has educated themselves on the principles of Islam.

Maybe you could tell me the reasoning behind little girls wearing the hijab. I see a lot of them where I live. Is it something to do with covering themselves so that men's passions don't get too inflamed by catching a glimpse of their hair?

Sad that basic truths are being dismissed as woke bollocks in the Fake News era.

Which bit of Debbie's post do you think was satire?

The one eye rule is up there with stoning. It’s abhorrent and utterly regressive.

Perhaps you don’t want it mentioned. Ah well.

Calling cultural practise Islamic practise is puerile.

Educate yourself.

So no donation to an Afghan's women's charity? Colour me surprised...

So wanting women to stop mentioning utterly regressive acts against women in 2026. Colour me surprised… etc