A video with a caption claiming a 'Saudi Prince' expressed his opinion on the Kashmir issue doing the rounds on social media, is false as the speaker in the video is a Muslim cleric and not related to the Saudi royal family.
The video is accompanied with the caption, "Opinion of Saudi Prince in Kashmir issue, see how beautifully he expressed his opinion."
Click here to view an archived version.
In the video, a person from the audience is seen asking a question to the speaker to which the speaker replies, "My position on the Kashmir issue is very clear, I'm not a politician, I only care about history and religion. I know that Islam came to India much later than Hinduism, which had already existed. Pakistan claimed independence way after all this happened, 70 years ago. So I don't see Pakistan as a suitable negotiator regarding Kashmir. I don't think they have the right to speak. I believe it's Hinduland, that's very controversial, many will say no, they have the right to their opinion. My position is Kashmir is Hinduland, and I say this in front of everyone. I'm not just saying this because I'm in India, this has been my opinion for five years, even when I was an extremist this was my opinion, So nobody can say that I'm being paid by Modi."
The video is viral on Facebook and WhatsApp with many users sharing it with the same caption.
The person claimed to be a Saudi prince is actually Imam Mohamad Tawhidi, a Shia Muslim cleric.
Tawhidi, popularly known as the 'Imam of Peace' is an Australian based cleric, known for speaking against radical Islamic ideology. Iranian-born and educated in Iraq, he claims to be at the forefront of moderate Islam and the Islamic reform movement.
Tawhidi himself called out the viral video claiming in capslock, "I'M NOT A SAUDI PRINCE."
Tawhidi was in India earlier this month for a cultural festival in Delhi.
Dear India 🇮🇳 Join me tomorrow at 2PM at @arth_live! pic.twitter.com/GS5nSsT09l
He has a huge following among ideological right in India.
It was an absolute pleasure meeting the Honourable Subramanian Swamy @Swamy39 and @anuraag_saxena tonight in Delhi. Every day is a blessed day in incredible India. pic.twitter.com/zeG1JddEj8
Meanwhile Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia is set to arrive in India today on his first official visit. (here)