Viral Clip “Praying Across the London Underground” Created with AI
Thai PBS Verify traced the source of this fake news back to: X
Thai PBS Verify found an X account that shared a video of people praying inside the London Underground, accompanied by the caption:
“MUSLIMS BLOCKING THE TUBE IN LONDON AND FRUSTRATING COMMUTERS !!!!! THIS IS SADIQ KHANS SHAKIRA LAW LONDON. WE NEED OUT COUNTRY BACK NOWWW!!!!”
The post has drawn significant attention, reaching 2.3 million views, with 4,100 reactions, 2,000 comments, and more than 1,900 reposts. It was published on August 3, 2026.
Checking Account Transparency
Thai PBS Verify examined the transparency of the X account and found that it was created in September 2022 in the United Kingdom.
Did This Really Happen in the London Underground?
A closer look reveals suspicious details suggesting the clip was AI‑generated:
1. Religious Inconsistencies
-
Violation of prayer principles: In the video, groups of people are shown sitting and praying while facing each other on opposite sides. Yet, according to Islamic practice, congregational prayer (jama’ah) requires all worshippers to face the same direction (Qibla direction).
- Practicality of Use: The prayer mats were laid out across the entire floor of the train carriage in perfectly aligned blocks, which is unrealistic. In actual conditions, trains vibrate and move constantly, with passengers walking through the carriage.
2. Distorted Details in the Image
- Poles and Structure: The red and yellow poles in the middle of the train carriage appear connected to the floor and ceiling at distorted angles, showing inconsistencies in perspective.
Thai PBS Verify submitted the clip to AI‑detection platforms, such as Hive Moderation and FauxLens. The results indicated a high likelihood that the video was AI‑generated.
Results of the examination from Hive moderation website
Results of the examination from the FauxLens website
At the same time, the account itself also displayed a message stating that the clip was created with AI.
Is it permissible according to religious principles?
Thai PBS Verify examined the rules of Islamic prayer and found that the clip does not follow proper practice:
- Qibla Direction: In every prayer, all worshippers must face the same Qibla direction. Sitting opposite each other, as shown in the video, clearly violates this principle.
- Prayer Leader (Imam): In congregational prayer (jama’ah), there must be an imam standing or sitting at the front, with followers (ma’mum) lined up behind. Facing each other or sitting in scattered positions is not correct practice.
2. Contrary to public rights and consideration for others (adab)
- Islam emphasizes avoiding harm or inconvenience to others in public spaces. Spreading prayer mats across the entire walkway of a train carriage blocks the passage, obstructs boarding and exiting, and could cause danger when the train brakes or sways.
3. Correct Way to Pray on a Train (In Case of Necessity)
If it truly becomes necessary to perform prayer on the train—due to time constraints and the inability to disembark at a station—the correct method is as follows:
- Individual Prayer: Do not spread mats that block public walkways.
- Seated Prayer on Passenger Seats: If the train sways so much that standing is impossible, sit on a regular seat, face the Qibla as best as you can, and use head movements to substitute for rukuʿ (bowing) and sujud (prostration), without disturbing the space of other passengers.
What is “Sharia Law” under the administration of “Sadiq Khan” in London?
London and the United Kingdom operate under English Law (or Law of England and Wales) as the sole legal system. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has no legislative authority to enact religious laws, alter the court system, or enforce Islamic law. His responsibilities are limited to city administration, such as public transport (TfL), housing policy, environmental issues, and urban planning.
Sadiq Khan is a British politician of Pakistani heritage and a practicing Muslim. Because of this, he has frequently been targeted by fake news and Islamophobic hate campaigns from far-right groups.
As for the issue of “Sharia Councils” in the UK, these are merely civil society organizations that provide voluntary mediation in personal matters according to religious principles (for example, divorce rituals). They are not state courts, have no criminal jurisdiction, and their decisions carry no legal force capable of overriding English civil law.
What is the truth?
The circulated clip claiming to show “Muslims spreading prayer mats to block the London Underground” is highly likely to have been AI‑generated rather than real footage. Multiple anomalies were identified in both the imagery and the content. For example, worshippers facing each other contradict Islamic practice, which requires all participants to face the same Qibla direction, and the video also displayed unnatural-looking visual distortions.
Furthermore, when tested with tools such as Hive Moderation and FauxLens, the clip was confirmed to have a high probability of being AI‑created. At the same time, the claim about “Sharia Law in London” is entirely false. London operates under English Law as its sole legal system, and Mayor Sadiq Khan has no authority to enact religious laws.
This content therefore constitutes disinformation, designed to fuel Islamophobic sentiment and religious hatred, rather than reflecting any real event.
Verification Process
- Verifying Account Transparency: The account was found to have been created in September 2022 in the United Kingdom.
- Observing anomalies with the naked eye: Worshippers were shown sitting facing each other instead of facing the same Qibla direction. Physical distortions were also evident, such as poles and structural elements connected at unnatural angles, and prayer mats spread perfectly across the entire carriage floor.
- Checking with AI‑Detection Tools: The clip was tested with AI‑detection platforms such as Hive Moderation and FauxLens, which indicated a high likelihood of AI generation.
- Verifying with Religious Practices: Proper Islamic prayer requires facing the Qibla, having an imam leading at the front, and avoiding obstruction of public walkways. If prayer on a train were truly necessary, it should be performed individually, seated on passenger chairs, without disturbing other passengers.
Impact of False Information
- Religious Misunderstanding
This clip misleads society about Islamic practices and fosters harmful generalizations toward Muslims.
- Incitement of Hatred (Islamophobia)
Distorted content can fuel suspicion and prejudice against religion within society.
- Erosion of Trust in Information
False posts make it harder for the public to distinguish between real and fake news, reducing the credibility of online media.
- Political and Ideological Exploitation
Such content may be used to attack individuals or groups—such as Sadiq Khan—in order to sow division.
- Social Conflict
This post may lead to polarization and heated disputes both online and offline.
- Challenges to Multicultural Coexistence
This false clip weakens trust and respect for religious and cultural diversity in society.
What to do with this misinformation?
- Caution Before Believing or Sharing
Treat emotionally charged content—such as anger or fear—with skepticism before accepting or forwarding it.
- Source Verification
Check whether the account or page publishing the information is credible, and whether it has previously spread misleading content.
- Cross‑Checking with Reliable News Outlets
Compare the information against multiple mainstream sources to confirm accuracy.
- Attention to Visual Anomalies
Look for unnatural details in images or videos, such as distortions, inconsistent lighting, or illogical behavior, which may indicate AI generation.
- Avoiding the Spread of Hate
Refrain from sharing or commenting in ways that reinforce prejudice against religion, ethnicity, or culture.
