Footage shows woman leading Muslim prayer in India, not Bangladesh

A viral video purportedly showing a Bangladeshi woman leading a Muslim prayer service has ignited anger on social media, as it breaks the taboo against women leading prayers in the socially conservative country. However, the video is misrepresented; it was filmed in Kerala, India, and features Jamida Beevi, the first Indian Muslim woman to publicly lead a mixed-gender congregation in prayer. The video, initially shared in 2018, resurfaced and spread on Facebook, causing a stir among Bangladeshi users who expressed outrage and disbelief.
The incident highlights the cultural and religious tensions surrounding gender roles within Muslim communities. Beevi, a member of the Khuran Sunnath Society, led the prayer to challenge male dominance in religion. Her actions, while groundbreaking, also attracted death threats, underscoring the risks faced by women who defy traditional norms. This misrepresentation incident emphasizes the importance of verifying information before reacting and reflects broader global conversations on women's rights and religious practices.
RATING
The article effectively addresses a significant event where a woman led a mixed-gender Muslim prayer, challenging traditional gender roles. It accurately identifies the video's location and context, supported by credible sources. The story is clear and well-structured, providing a balanced view of the event and its reactions. However, it could enhance its impact and engagement by connecting the event to broader trends or movements and including more diverse perspectives. Overall, the article provides a reliable and thought-provoking account of an event that resonates with ongoing discussions about gender equality and religious practices.
RATING DETAILS
The story's accuracy is high, as it correctly identifies the location and context of the video showing a woman leading a Muslim prayer. The article clarifies that the event took place in Kerala, India, not Bangladesh, and accurately identifies the woman as Jamida Beevi. This is supported by multiple sources, including Dainik Savera and Times of India. The article also correctly reports the date of the event as January 26, 2018, and provides context about Beevi's motivations and the reactions she faced. However, the story could improve by providing more direct citations or links to the original sources for readers to verify the information themselves.
The article presents a balanced view by detailing both the actions and motivations of Jamida Beevi and the reactions from social media users. It highlights the cultural and religious norms being challenged, offering insight into both sides of the debate. However, the story could enhance its balance by including more perspectives from those who support Beevi's actions or from religious scholars who might offer a nuanced view of the situation. This would provide a more comprehensive understanding of the event's implications.
The article is clear and well-structured, with a logical flow that guides the reader through the main points. It effectively distinguishes between the initial misconception about the video's origin and the verified facts. The language is straightforward and neutral, which aids comprehension. However, the article could benefit from more detailed explanations of the cultural context and the significance of a woman leading a mixed-gender prayer, which would help readers unfamiliar with the topic.
The article uses credible sources such as Dainik Savera and Times of India, which are reliable Indian media outlets. These sources lend authority to the claims about the video's origin and the identity of the woman. The story also references interviews with Jamida Beevi and reports of her receiving death threats, further supporting its claims. However, the article could improve by including more diverse sources or expert opinions to strengthen its credibility.
The article is transparent about the methods used to verify the video's origin, mentioning a reverse image search and providing dates for when the video was posted. However, it could enhance transparency by explicitly stating the sources of its information within the text, such as linking directly to the reports or interviews mentioned. This would allow readers to trace the information back to its origins more easily.
Sources
- https://newsmeter.in/fact-check/woman-leads-islamic-prayers-in-bangladesh-no-video-is-from-kerala-745478
- https://www.opindia.com/2025/02/widows-should-remain-at-home-pray-muslim-cleric-from-pro-cpim-sunni-faction-in-kerala-over-viral-video-of-a-womans-manali-trip/
- https://www.ucanews.com/news/protests-as-indian-catholic-college-denies-space-for-muslim-prayers/105867
- https://www.instagram.com/muslim/reel/DBwBxRuAxj-/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_as_imams
YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN

India's sword-wielding grandmother still going strong at 82
Score 8.0
Global church network pushes 'climate justice' narrative during Holy Week: 'Moral imperative'
Score 6.6
USAID kept Kajol alive – but after the cuts she's struggling
Score 6.8
Residents attack Bangladesh air force base in altercation with soldiers, 1 dead
Score 5.8