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A viral video showing Michigan Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed leading congregational prayers during the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted speculation on social media that the footage may have been generated using artificial intelligence (AI).

The speculation appears to stem mainly from the unusual distance between worshippers standing in prayer rows, which differs from the traditional arrangement in Muslim congregational prayers.

However, the spacing reflects social-distancing practices introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

Reports by Turkish media outlets Yeni Şafak and Haber7 identify the footage as a recording from approximately five years ago, showing El-Sayed delivering a Friday sermon (Khutbah) and leading prayers at a mosque.

During the pandemic, mosques and other religious institutions in several countries introduced physical-distancing arrangements in response to public-health concerns. Worshippers were required to maintain gaps between one another during congregational prayers.

The footage has resurfaced following El-Sayed’s election victory, attracting renewed attention and prompting discussions about its authenticity.

FACT CHECK FINDING

The unusual spacing between worshippers is consistent with COVID-19 social-distancing measures and is not evidence that the video was generated using AI.

The available media reports identify the footage as a recording from the pandemic period. However, a forensic examination of the original video would be necessary to conclusively rule out any digital manipulation.

There is currently insufficient evidence to support claims that the footage is AI-generated. The video should therefore not be labelled artificial solely because of the unusual arrangement of worshippers.