CLAIM
A viral video on social media shows an Imam sitting on a stage, speaking on the Kashmir issue, where he admits that 'Kashmir is Hindu Land'.
In the one-minute long video, the Imam is heard saying:
“My position on the Kashmir issue is very clear. I am not a politician, I only care about history and religion. I know that Islam came to India much later, Hinduism had already existed. Pakistan claimed independence way after all this happened – seventy years ago. So I don’t see that Pakistan is a suitable negotiator on Kashmir – I don’t think they even have the right to speak. I believe it is Hindu land, that is pretty controversial, many will say no and they have the right to their opinions. My position is that Kashmir is Hindu land and I say this in front of everyone. I am not saying this just because I am in India, this has been my opinion for five years. Even when I was an extremist this was my opinion. Nobody can say that I am being paid by Modi or anything like that.”
The video has been shared widely with the claim that the person in the video is a Saudi prince. The caption along with the video reads: "Opinion of Saudi prince on kashmir issue, see how beautifully he expressed his opinion.👌"
TRUE OR FALSE?
The person in the video is not a Saudi prince, but Imam Tawhidi – an Iranian-born Australian Shia Muslim Imam. He was in India recently to participate in the Arth Fest of art and culture, held in Delhi.
In fact, the entire video of his talk can be accessed on Arth's Youtube page. According to the original video, the Imam had made these comments in response to an audience member's question on the interpretation of the Quran by different cultures in light of the 'wahabisation' of Muslims in Kashmir.
The question and the Imam's subsequent answer can be seen at 54:20 minutes in the video below.
WHO IS IMAM TAWHIDI?
Iranian-born Tawhidi describes himself as a peace activist and has faced extreme criticism from fellow Muslims for what he calls his reformist views and has been accused of stirring up trouble.
Even before he landed in Imam Tawhidi became a subject of contention. On one side, the ideological Right showers him with praise and promotes his views on Islam. On the other, maulanas in the country wrote to the Home Ministry against his visit to India.
Known as @Imamofpeace on Twitter, ahead of his India visit, he had said “If extremist Imams in India had brains they would have gone on vacation by now."
(Not convinced of a story you came across on social media and want it verified? Send us the details on WhatsApp at 9910181818 and we'll fact-check it for you. You can also read all our fact-checked stories here.)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)