A fact-checking organization, Rumor Scanner, investigated a video circulating on social media, claiming it depicted a rise in militancy, gatherings, or calls for jihad in Bangladesh.
The video, showing a performance by students at an annual competition at Jessore Jamia Islamia Madrasa, was misrepresented as promoting extremism.
The video, which had been widely shared, features a person giving a sermon in Arabic with his face covered, while two others in black attire stand beside him holding object-like weapons.
The video was circulated with claims that it was evidence of militancy in Bangladesh and a call for jihad.
Rumor Scanner’s investigation debunked this, clarifying that the video was part of student performance at the madrasa’s annual competition and award ceremony, and not related to any militant activity.
The video was first circulated on December 17 by a Facebook account named 'HM Abdullah Jessore', which claimed it was from the 'Jessore Jamia Islamia Annual Competition and Award Ceremony - 2024'.
Further investigation revealed that the account holder identified himself as the Assistant Head of the Hefz Department at the madrasa, and the Facebook page of Jessore Jamia Islamia confirmed the authenticity of the event.
The madrasa's founder, Mufti Lutfur Rahman Farooqui, also clarified in a Facebook live session that the objects shown in the video were not real firearms but were made from cork sheets (shola).
Magfur Rahman, the Education Secretary of Jessore Jamia Islamia, explained that the video was part of a cultural exhibition held during the madrasa's annual ceremony, which included topics like Hamd Naat, Qirat, Hifzul competition, Bangla and Arabic speeches, and even performances dressed as various figures.
The speech given by a student in the video addressed the ongoing violence in Israel and Palestine, urging Muslims to speak out against the injustice faced by Palestinians.
The video’s claims were also verified by Jessore police, who confirmed that the items resembling firearms were made from cork and wood.
They further said that the video was from the annual competition and that the accusations of militant connections were false.
Following the social media uproar, the Jessore Kotwali Police Station issued a statement confirming that the video was misleading.
Multiple live videos from the event were also shared by Mufti Magfur Rahman, showing the context of the performance.
