No, Muslim Company Doesn't Manufacture Offering Distributed at Sabarimala Temple

Fact-check: Social media users are falsely claiming that the authorities at the Sabarimala temple are offering the halal prasad manufactured by a UAE-based company.

(Photo: The Quint)

An image is going viral on social media to claim that the Aravana payasam, an offering distributed at Sabarimala temple in Kerala, is not only now manufactured by a Muslim company with an Arabic name, ‘Al Zahaa Sweets’, but now it is halal too.

An archive can be seen here.

(Source: Image translated by Google translate.)

(Similar archives can be seen here and here.

This claim was viral on 2021 too. WebQoof also received multiple queries about this claim on its WhatsApp tipline.

What's the truth?: This claim is false. The temple has no connection to these sweets and they are sold independently.

How did we find out the truth?: We performed a relevant keyword search related to the company 'Al Zahaa Sweets LLC' and found out that it is based out of Ajman, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

• As per the information provided by 'Diligencia Group', the company was established in 2020.

The organisation is based out of Ajman, UAE.

(Source: Website/ Screenshot)

We contacted the UAE-based company in 2021, who denied any connection with the Sabarimala temple and said that this product is available only in the UAE market.

"We have noted the rumours. Ours is a LLC company, located in UAE, manufacturing different varieties of snacks and sweets including Arabic Sweets. Our popular product 'Aravana Payasam' doesn't have any connection with religion, caste, or creed. It is not at all connected with Lord Ayyappa or Sabarimala. We don't have any contract with any Indian or Kerala based company or board."

Rashid, business development manager, Al Zahaa Sweets

We also reached out to Travancore Devaswom: Speaking to the WebQoof team, BS Prakash, commissioner at the Travancore Devaswom Board also dismissed the viral claim in 2021.

BS Prakash, commissioner, Travancore Devaswom Board said, "This is a false claim. The Prasadam is manufactured by the temple authorities. No company or organisation is authorised to make it."

We also accessed recent images of the Aravana Prasadam that is being offered at the Sabarimala temple and found that they are completely different from the viral one.

Left: Viral image. Right: Recent image of the Prasadam being offered at the Sabarimala temple.

(Photo: Altered by The Quint)

Conclusion: Social media users are falsely claiming that the authorities at the Sabarimala temple, Kerala, are offering the halal 'Aravana Payasam' manufactured by a UAE-based company 'Al Zahaa Sweets LLC.'

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