AI-Generated Image Falsely Claims Saudi Arabia Banned Photos During Hajj
The Claim
As millions of Muslims from around the world prepared to travel to Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage, social media posts[1] Including Instagram[2] and Thread[3] began circulating with claims that Saudi authorities had imposed a strict ban on photography and videography inside and around the Grand Mosque in Mecca. The posts warned that anyone caught taking photos or videos would face arrest, heavy fines, cancellation of Hajj permits, and immediate deportation.
One widely shared post claimed pilgrims could be fined 10,000 Saudi riyals for recording videos or taking pictures at the holy sites. Accompanying the claim was an image purportedly showing an official warning sign displayed near the Grand Mosque. The posts quickly spread across Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, causing confusion among many prospective pilgrims ahead of the pilgrimage season.
What CyberPoe Verified
The claim is false. Saudi authorities have not announced any blanket ban on photography or videography during Hajj. Official guidance issued by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah does encourage pilgrims to avoid excessive filming and photography, but the advisory is framed as a matter of etiquette and respect for worshippers not as a criminal offense.[1]
The ministry specifically advises visitors to remain focused on worship and to avoid disturbing fellow pilgrims while taking pictures. It notes that constant filming may distract worshippers and infringe on the privacy of others within the Two Holy Mosques. However, nowhere in the official guidance is there any mention of arrests, fines, or permit cancellations for taking photos.
The misinformation was further contradicted by officials connected to Hajj delegations. Mohd Hisham Harun, head of the Malaysian Hajj delegation, also publicly clarified that there is no official ban on photography or videography, while encouraging pilgrims to prioritize ibadah over social media activity.[2]
The Image Was Artificially Generated
The image accompanying the viral posts also shows multiple signs of digital fabrication. A closer inspection reveals a visible Gemini AI watermark in the bottom-right corner, indicating the image was generated using Google’s AI tools rather than captured at a real location in Saudi Arabia.
Additional inconsistencies further undermine its authenticity. The text on the purported warning sign is written mainly in Urdu instead of Arabic, despite Arabic being the official language used on Saudi government signage. The fonts and spacing also appear irregular, while several visual distortions resemble common AI-generation artifacts often seen in synthetic images.
These details confirm the image was not an official Saudi notice displayed at the Grand Mosque.
CyberPoe Verdict ❌
False. Saudi Arabia has not banned photography or videography during Hajj. Authorities have only encouraged pilgrims to remain respectful and focused on worship. The viral image claiming otherwise is AI-generated and not an authentic government notice.
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