New Delhi: Pakistan’s well-known Islamic religious leader Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi has described Iran-backed Yemeni organization Ansar Allah, i.e. Houthis, as terrorists. He says that this organization has nothing to do with Islam. He also appealed to Muslims around the world to stand in support of Saudi Arabia.
Statement given in Madina conference
The statement came at the end of a two-day conference held in Medina, Saudi Arabia. According to Ashrafi, the Houthis are working with the help of Saudi Arabia’s enemies and their attacks are against Islamic values. He described Houthis as the real enemy of Islam. In the speech, he referred to Saudi Arabia’s emergency warning on September 15 about a potential threat to Mecca and alleged that the Houthis were targeting the holy cities.
Let us tell you that Ashrafi is the President of Pakistan Ulema Council. This organization was formed with the aim of connecting religious and legal scholars from different Islamic traditions and promoting interreligious harmony.
Controversy over British honor
Ashrafi was also in the news recently because of a British award. On 11 September, Dame Sarah Mullaly, the Archbishop of Canterbury, awarded him the 2026 Hubert Walter Award for Reconciliation and Interreligious Cooperation, but the honor was withdrawn on 17 September. The reason given was an old comment of his from 2007, in which, according to the report, he had praised Osama bin Laden’s fight against Russia, America and Britain. The Telegraph also wrote on 24 September that Ashrafi had defended a gang accused of blackmailing people over blasphemy charges.
Appeal to Pakistanis
Ashrafi said that this war is not between two countries, but against a terrorist group, which is targeting children, women, elderly and youth in Yemen. According to him, Saudi Arabia provides billions of dollars in aid for Yemen’s security, education and health, but the Houthis do not accept it. He also alleged that the Houthis use the name of Islam and Palestine, yet give way to Israeli ships.
Ashrafi said that Pakistan will stand firmly with Saudi Arabia in any conflict. According to him, Pakistan’s government, army, religious scholars and common people are standing shoulder to shoulder with Saudi Arabia.