ISLAMABAD: A viral video claiming that a stage resembling the Khana e Kaaba was displayed at Riyadh Season 2024 in Saudi Arabia is false.
The video shows a cube-like structure with bright lights and visuals behind a stage where performers are dancing. Many social media users criticized the clip, accusing it of disrespecting Islam’s holiest site.
Some users claimed that Saudi authorities placed a Khana e Kaaba model on stage during the Riyadh Season 2024 fashion show. One user on social media platform X wrote, “Saudi Arabia disgraced Islam by displaying images of singers and dancers on a Kaaba model.” This post alone received over 5.5 million views.
Another post with 198K views criticized Saudi Arabia for allegedly disrespecting the Kaaba, sparking further outrage.
Saudi Arabia’s Anti-Rumor Authority clarified that the viral video is from a boxing event during Riyadh Season 2023, not 2024. The cube-like structure in the video was created using four screens connected to the ceiling, designed to display visuals for the audience around the boxing ring.
The authority confirmed that there were no models or replicas of the Khana e Kaaba at the event. The screens created an illusion resembling the Kaaba’s covering due to the way the video was paused.
Videos from the 2023 boxing event show the cube-shaped screens displaying various visuals during the opening ceremony, including a boxing glove emoji. Saudi officials have firmly denied claims that the Khana e Kaaba was used as part of any stage display.
This clarification emphasizes the importance of verifying facts before believing or sharing content online.
