Authors
Kushel HM is a mechanical engineer-turned-journalist, who loves all things football, tennis and films. He was with the news desk at the Hindustan Times, Mumbai, before joining Newschecker.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
Claim
Stage collapses following an Imam’s anti-Semitic comment during a rally in Pakistan.
Fact
Viral video dates back to July 2018, speaker was addressing an election campaign.
Several social media users are circulating a video, claiming it shows a political gathering in Pakistan where an Imam calls for all Jews to be exterminated, saying “if this is not true may the land sink beneath my feet”, following which the stage collapses.
The archived version of the tweet can be seen here.
Fact Check
Newschecker ran a reverse image search of keyframes of the video, which led us to this a clearer and longer version of the video tweeted by journalist Aditya Raj Kaul on July 18, 2018. A similar Facebook post can be seen here.
A relevant keyword search led us to this Geo TV report, July 18, 2018, stating, “The Jamaat-e-Islami Emir Siraj-ul-Haq and other leaders fell when the stage collapsed during an election campaign rally in Peshawar. The JI leaders were addressing an election campaign gathering in Mohmand. The stage collapsed due to the presence of more people than its actual holding capacity. Luckily, Siraj and others remained safe in the incident.”
Similar reports can be seen here and here, confirming it is an old video. Newschecker checked the video with an Urdu speaker who said there were no anti-Semitic statements made, confirming the viral claim to be false. “We welcome Salaar e Qabila, Quaid-e-Millat-e-Islamia, Naaib Sadar Muttahida Amal Pakistan, Ameer Jamaat e Islami Pakistan,” the speaker was heard saying, introducing other leaders at the event.
Also Read: Old Video Falsely Claimed To Show Israeli Soldiers Torturing Palestinian Civilians
Conclusion
Viral video falsely claims Pakistani imam’s anti-semitic statement led to a stage collapse.
Result: False
Sources
Tweet, Aditya Raj Kaul, July 18, 2018
Geo TV report, July 18, 2018
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Authors
Kushel HM is a mechanical engineer-turned-journalist, who loves all things football, tennis and films. He was with the news desk at the Hindustan Times, Mumbai, before joining Newschecker.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
