Fact Check: Old video of prayer meeting at Al-Aqsa mosque falsely linked to Israel-Hamas war

An X user shared the video and wrote, “Thousands of #Palestinian Gathering around Al Aqsa mosque Praying for peace. (sic)” The user has also used hashtags such as #Israel #IsraelPalestineWar #Hamas #PalestineUnderAttack in the post.

Several X users have shared the video claiming the same. Click here, here, here, here and here to view the posts.

Fact Check

NewsMeter found that the clip is unrelated to the ongoing war and dates back to at least April 2023.

We noticed the watermark ‘fwaz tobasy’ in the viral clip. Taking this as a cue, we searched for the same on social media platforms and found an Instagram account named Fwaz Tobasy who posted a shorter version of the viral video on April 18, 2023.

On the same day, the account posted another video shot at night from the same location showing similar visuals. The Arabic translation of the post read, “Night of Destiny Revival At the Holy Mosque of Aqsa.”

The account also posted several images of the gathering at Al-Aqsa mosque on the same date. The caption mentioned that the occasion for the huge gathering is the prayers on the night of Laylat al-Qadr. According to Islamic belief, the first verses of the Holy Quran were revealed on this night. This night falls within Ramadan’s final ten days.

A Turkey-based news agency Anadolu English posted a video on April 18 which showed visuals similar to the viral video.

“Thousands of Muslims flocked to Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem and welcomed Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of Destiny, performed prayer, recited verses from the Holy Quran and asked Allah for forgiveness and blessings,” read the caption.

Hence, we conclude that the viral clip, which dates back to at least April 2023, is being falsely linked to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.