Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Claim
A boy died smiling to protect the Al Aqsa mosque from “blasts and attacks.”
Fact
2014 photograph from a funeral management program in Malaysia.
Hundreds of Palestinians were reportedly arrested following raids of the Israeli police on the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem last week. The situation in and around the city remained tense amid clashes. In this backdrop, a photograph of a boy shrouded in a white cloth who appears to be smiling is going viral on social media platforms. Those who shared the image claimed that it features a boy who was “martyred” while protecting the Al Aqsa Mosque.
Several social media users shared the photograph claiming, “This brother died while protecting Masjid Al- Aqsa Mosque from blast and attacks, Muslims honoured him as a martyr, look the smile at his face. (sic)”
Such posts can be seen here, here, here and here.
Also Read: Al-Aqsa Mosque Raided By Israeli Forces -News Outlets, Others Share Old Image
Fact Check/Verification
A Yandex reverse image search on the viral photograph led us to a Blogpost, dated November 3, 2014, titled ‘ACTIVITIES IN KPTM.’ The blog elaborated on “Rehlah Al-Khulud Program” organised by the Facilitator Club, KPTM Kuala Lumpur.
The post carried a series of photographs on “funeral management,” – from “ Preparing Kain Kapan” to “finishing Kafan.” The viral photograph also featured in the series to show the “finishing Kafan” step.
“Probably still many among Muslims do not know the funeral management technique such as bathing, Kafan and funeral prayer with correctly. This program is to give awareness for the students as the next generation about the importance of studying funeral management. (sic),” the blog concluded.
The blog also featured a photograph of a badge saying “REHLAH AL KHULUD 2014 pengembaraan abadi.”
We looked up this entire text on various search engines, and social media platforms. This led us to a Facebook post by Nor Shamshillah Kamarzaman, dated October 9, 2014, carrying a poster invite to the Rehlah Al-Khulud programme on October 11, 2014 at Kolej Poly-Tech Mara (KPTM), Kuala Lumpur.
Kamarzaman, who identifies herself as a Senior lecturer at Kolej Poly-Tech Mara, stated, “Rehlah Al-Khulud Program (Eternal Adventure) organised by students of 306Add, CU202.. This program is related to the death and corpse course. Certificates, food and drinks provided… Program starts from 8.30 am – 3.00 pm located at Surau KPTMHQ. (translated from Malay with the help of Google.)”
A similar poster invite was shared on Facebook page KPTM PART-TIME JOBS & VOLUNTEERING ACTIVITIES on October 9, 2014.
Further, we looked up “Kolej Poly-Tech Mara,” and “Rehlah Al-Khulud” on Facebook, and selected the year on search as 2014. This yielded a post by one Haris Sebiey, dated October 11, 2014, carrying the viral photograph with the hashtag “#ProgramRehlahAl-Khulud” at Kolej Poly-Tech MARA.
Old Claim Revived
The alleged photograph of a “martyr” who “died smiling” while protecting the Al-Aqsa Mosque from the attack of Israeli forces has been in circulation for at least the past 3 years. We found several posts from 2020, sharing the image with the caption, “ This brother died while protecting Masjid Al-Aqsa Mosque from blast and attacks of Israel. Muslims honoured him as a martyr, look the smile at his face.. .(sic)”
Such posts can be seen here, here and here.
Conclusion
Viral post claiming to show a “martyr” who sacrificed his life for Al-Aqsa mosque is false. The photograph is from a 2014 event on funeral management in Malaysia.
Result: False
Sources
Blogpost, Dated November 3, 2014
Facebook Post By Nor Shamshillah Kamarzaman, Dated October 9, 2014
Facebook Post By KPTM PART-TIME JOBS & VOLUNTEERING ACTIVITIES, Dated October 9, 2014.
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Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
