Misleading Video Shared as Putin Converting Russian Church Into a Mosque
The Claim
A video depicting the Russian president and other figures after a Russian church was converted into a mosque and handed over to the Russian Grand Mufti.
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Emerging story
A video has recently circulated on social media pages and accounts claiming that Russian President Vladimir Putin inaugurated and handed over a mosque to Russia's Grand Mufti. Prosecutors claim the structure was a church before Putin turned it into a mosque.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the widely circulated claim and discovered it to be misleading. The video is old and has been released as part of the restored and expanded Moscow Cathedral Mosque's reopening since September 23, 2015.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and other Arab and Islamic leaders were at the ceremony.
The Moscow Mosque, built in 1904, underwent a $170 million renovation and expansion between May 2005 and September 2015.
The mosque, which has six floors and can accommodate more than 10,000 worshipers at the same time, is the largest in Europe.
The prosecution's release coincides with increased tensions along the Russian-Ukrainian border, which has implications for Russia's relations with Europe and the United States.
Putin has previously stated that insulting the Prophet Muhammad does not fall under the purview of free expression.
Translated by Wesam Abo Marq
