As if misinformation on Whatsapp was not enough, Muslim users have now taken to TikTok, the video-sharing social networking service, to encourage social proximity amidst the Wuhan Coronavirus outbreak.
In one such video, a man in a black shirt can be seen greeting his three friends. When one of them refuses to shake his hand highlighting concerns about contracting coronavirus infection that may ultimately lead to death, the man in the black shirt gives him a lesson in Islam.
He makes a bizarre statement, “You will leave Sunnat (traditional Islamic custom) today and Islam tomorrow due to your fear of death. We are Muslims and therefore we are not afraid to die.” His reluctant friend, now enlightened by the teachings of Islam, then proceeds to hug the man in the black shirt.
#CoronaVirus checks for ‘sunnat’ before attacking. Arey bhai virus hain ya AAP ka #TahirHussain pic.twitter.com/TNbQOMdn1c
— Jiten Gajaria (@jitengajaria) March 20, 2020
In another TikTok video, a group of Muslims sporting skull caps can be seen talking about coronavirus. When one of them stops the other from shaking hands, he is rebuked. The protagonist claims, “Islam teaches us that shaking hands spread love not coronavirus.” They then leave the scene gloating over the fact that they have managed to stay true to Islamic preachings. Interestingly, the informed friend who earlier tried to highlight that physical contact can spread infection can later be seen saluting the protagonist for making him realise the ideals of Islam.
I want to draw your attention towards the tiktok app where these types of videos are being promoted by @TikTok_IN .. #islamicpropaganda should not be promoted ..Ban these things @vivekagnihotri @theskindoctor13 @desimojito @TajinderBagga @KapilMishra_IND #CoronaStopKaroNa pic.twitter.com/zeYIBZ3WIS
— Subham (@Subbam4) March 21, 2020
In a video uploaded on another video sharing platform, Vigo, the protagonist can be seen asking for water. On being stopped from drinking from the bottle that belonged to a friend who is supposedly infected with coronavirus, the hero claims, “Sharing food eaten by another Muslim leads to Shifa (healing) and not corona.”
While the world is fighting with Corona Virus, this M Virus is spreading Corona even more.. Doctors, officials, social workers are putting their lives at stake to save us..
— Sunaina H (@AteeSunaina) March 19, 2020
Koi hai jo iss Corona Jihad ko rokega? @TikTok_IN @MoHFW_INDIA @WHO pic.twitter.com/206R9rk32s
At a time when social distancing is crucial to preventing the spread of the pandemic, these TikTok videos encourage people under the guise of Islamic teachings to indulge in risky social behaviour.
Earlier, A Muslim protestor by the name of Rizvana in Shaheen Bagh had said, “Washing hands regularly is part of our lifestyle. We offer namaz five times a day and we wash our hands every time”, suggesting how she was safe from COVID-19 despite being a part of a mass gathering.
In a viral video, one of the Shaheen Bagh protesters could be heard dismissing the looming threat of coronavirus by claiming that Corona emerged from the Quran. Several Anti-CAA protestors do not think that the pandemic is a threat because the Anti-CAA protests are supposedly a ‘call from Allah‘.
