In a digital age where misinformation spreads like wildfire, a viral video featuring Muslims gathered outside Melbourne’s St Patrick’s Cathedral has gained significant attention. Viewed millions of times across social media platforms, the video portrays a group of Muslims supposedly surrounding the iconic church, with the footage accompanied by alarming captions such as “the real war exposed” and “this is an act of war.” However, these claims are misleading and fail to provide crucial context.
Context of the Ashura procession
The video, filmed on July 7, 2025, depicts a religious procession organized to mark Ashura, a significant day in Islam. Ashura, particularly important for Shia Muslims, commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, who died in a stand against injustice more than 1,400 years ago.
This religious event involves a procession of mourning, during which Muslims gather in cities around the world, including Melbourne, New York, and London. The Ashura procession in Melbourne follows the same route every year, starting at Treasury Gardens, passing by St Patrick’s Cathedral, and ending at Parliament House.
Clarifying the false narrative
Despite being portrayed as an act of intimidation, the footage actually shows a peaceful, organized religious procession. Contrary to social media claims that Muslims “surrounded” the cathedral, the procession had merely passed by it, with participants taking brief stops at regular intervals for prayers and rituals. These pauses were part of the solemn commemoration, which included chanting and chest-beating, known as Matam — an expression of grief and remembrance for the tragic martyrdom of Imam Hussain.
Organizers clarified that the procession was a peaceful event, fully coordinated with Melbourne City officials and Victoria Police, who were aware of and supportive of the procession. Videos showing Muslims stopping in front of the cathedral were captured at a point where the procession had to pause due to traffic management. The claim that the group stopped specifically to provoke or “circle” the church is entirely false.
A peaceful and non-political event
According to the Ashura Committee, this procession has been held annually in Melbourne since 2009 and has always been a peaceful religious event with no political undertones. The group emphasized that they respect other faiths, including Christianity and Judaism, and actively engage in dialogue to clear up misunderstandings. They also reached out to the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne to address any concerns arising from the misrepresentation on social media.
A Victoria Police spokesperson confirmed that the procession was peaceful, with no incidents or complaints reported. The police acknowledged the right of individuals to practice their faith peacefully and expressed their respect for the procession’s organization.
Impact of social media misinformation
The viral video, shared by figures like British anti-Islam campaigner Tommy Robinson, has generated a significant amount of hateful commentary. The video and its subsequent claims have caused confusion, with many interpreting the peaceful procession as an aggressive or intimidating act. This highlights the dangers of misinformation, especially when it comes to issues of religion and interfaith relations.
The Hossaini Society of Victoria, a community organization involved in the procession, stressed the importance of interfaith understanding and mutual respect. They pointed out that Muslims hold Jesus Christ and his mother Mary in the highest regard, sharing a deep reverence for their role in faith and history.
The society emphasized that this procession is a symbol of harmony and respect, not division, and is proud of its role in contributing positively to Australia’s multicultural society.
