Posts falsely claiming Saudi authorities banned photos, videos at hajj site use AI image
- Published on May 6, 2026 at 09:40
- 2 min read
- By Raevathi SUPRAMANIAM, AFP Malaysia
As millions of Muslim pilgrims from across the globe poured into Saudi Arabia for the annual hajj pilgrimage, posts falsely claimed authorities had banned photo and video-taking at holy sites. While authorities have encouraged pilgrims to focus on worship and to be considerate of their fellow worshippers, they have not banned photography and videography. An image accompanying the posts, purportedly depicting a sign about the ban, is also AI-generated.
A Facebook post shared on April 25, 2026 claims that Saudi Arabia has implemented several new rules for those performing the hajj this year.
"It is strictly prohibited to take any photographs or videos inside or outside the Grand Mosque. Any pilgrim who violates this rule will be immediately arrested and fined 10,000 Saudi riyals,” says the Malay-language post, adding that offenders will have their hajj permits cancelled and be sent home.
Accompanying the post is an image purportedly showing a sign at the Grand Mosque about the ban.
Similar posts using the same image were also shared elsewhere on Facebook, Instagram and Threads ahead of the annual hajj pilgrimage, which all Muslims are expected to complete at least once in their lives if they have the means to do so, during the last week of May (archived link).
The pilgrimage to Mecca sees believers converge on the holy city for several days of rituals, retracing the Prophet Mohammed's last pilgrimage.
While Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has published an information guide on how pilgrims should conduct themselves at the holy sites, authorities have not banned photography or videography (archived link).
"We appreciate your eagerness to capture these irreplaceable moments, however, being occupied with photography may distract you from worship, infringe upon the privacy of others, and disturb visitors of the Two Holy Mosques," it says, referring to the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, which pilgrims also often visit during the hajj.
"Please be considerate of the comfort of fellow worshippers and refrain from taking photographs."
A separate keyword search found a ministry Facebook post from January 1 calling on visitors to be considerate when taking photos and videos (archived link).
The head of the Malaysian Hajj delegation, Mohd Hisham Harun, also told local news outlet Astro Awani that there is no ban on photography or videography but reminded pilgrims to focus on worship while at the mosque (archived link).
An analysis of the image accompanying the false post indicates it is AI-generated.
The watermark of Gemini, Google’s AI tool, can be seen in the image's bottom-right corner (archived link).
The language on the sign about the purported photo and video ban is also written in Urdu, Pakistan's national language, rather than Arabic, the official language of Saudi Arabia. Font sizes also appear to be inconsistent.
AFP has previously debunked other misinformation surrounding the hajj.
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