A viral video circulating online falsely claimed to show Hindu pilgrims celebrating the inauguration of the Ram temple at Mecca's Kaaba. However, India TV's Fact Check team debunked these claims, confirming that the video depicted Indonesian pilgrims at the Kaaba during Umrah, not Hindus celebrating the Ram temple inauguration.
Origins of the misinformation
The video, shared on various social media platforms with misleading captions, sparked widespread misinformation. Despite claims associating the footage with the Ram Temple inauguration on January 22, 2024, the video dates back to November 2022. Further investigation revealed that it originated from an Indonesian travel agency called An Namiroh Travelindo, which specialises in organising Umrah pilgrimages to Mecca.
A screenshot of a video shared on various social media platforms with misleading captions sparked widespread misinformation.
Debunking the claims
Through reverse image searches and research on the travel agency, India TV's Fact Check team traced the origins of the video to an Umrah pilgrimage organised by An Namiroh Travelindo. The agency's website and social media pages showcased numerous videos and images of Indonesian pilgrims dressed similarly to those in the viral video.
Screenshot of the video of an Umrah pilgrimage organised by An Namiroh Travelindo.
Conclusion
The viral video falsely connecting Indonesian pilgrims to the Ram Temple inauguration serves as a reminder of the prevalence of misinformation online. Despite efforts to spread false narratives, fact-checking initiatives remain crucial in debunking such claims and ensuring accurate information reaches the public.
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