The Musk Muharram procession controversy exploded across social media this week after the billionaire tech mogul reposted a video of a large Shia Muslim gathering filmed on a busy UK street. The clip collected over 12 million views in hours and split the internet into two loud camps: those who called Musk’s action Islamophobic, and those who defended it as an expression of surprise.
What Exactly Did Musk Repost?
The footage, first shared by X user RadioGenoa, shows hundreds of people assembled along a commercial roadway. Many participants, dressed in black, can be seen performing rhythmic chest-beating, while families and children watch from the sidelines. The original post carried the caption, “There is no way Manchester has become like this.”
Musk reposted the footage without adding any comment or accompanying text. But on at least one version of the clip circulating online, the billionaire reacted with a brief comment, writing that there was no way that was Manchester.
The Musk Muharram procession video became viral and gained more than 12 million views in just a few hours. That kind of reach turned a local religious event into a worldwide talking point overnight.
What Is Muharram and Why Does It Matter?
For many readers, Muharram may be a familiar word, but not everyone outside Muslim communities knows what the procession shows. Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. For Shia Muslims, it is a time of deep mourning for Imam Hussain, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who was killed at the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE.
One widely shared explanation on X stated: “That video shows a Shia Muslim practice called matam (chest-beating), which happens during Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar.” Around the world, Muharram is marked through processions, gatherings, prayers and acts of remembrance. These processions are a normal, peaceful part of Shia Muslim life and take place every year in cities across the UK, Pakistan, India, Iraq, and beyond. You can learn more about the Islamic calendar on the Islamic Finder official calendar.
The Musk Muharram Procession Reaction: Both Sides Explained
Some users interpreted his comment as simple astonishment at the size of the crowd gathered in a British city. Others viewed the remark differently, arguing that it echoed broader discussions around immigration, demographic change and the visibility of Muslim communities in Western countries. Critics accused Musk of amplifying narratives that can contribute to negative perceptions of Muslims, while supporters argued he had merely expressed surprise.
The post quickly went viral, with critics questioning why the Tesla chief chose to highlight a religious gathering without providing any context. Many argued that similar events involving other faith communities take place regularly but do not receive the same attention.
Among the most-liked replies was a post that read, “Bet he won’t share this clip from NYC,” accompanied by a video showing a large Jewish congregation gathering in New York. The user argued that similar religious gatherings take place regularly without attracting the same attention.
Where Was the Video Actually Filmed?
The original caption claimed the video was from Manchester. But viewers quickly started questioning the location. When one user asked Grok, Musk’s own AI chatbot, where the clip was filmed, Grok responded: “Based on the shops, red-brick British buildings, traffic lights and street layout, this is the United Kingdom, almost certainly Birmingham, West Midlands. It looks like a Muharram/Ashura procession.” The response further intensified discussion, with users comparing landmarks and debating whether the event took place in Manchester, Birmingham, or another British city.
So ironically, Musk’s own AI tool ended up fact-checking the very post he helped amplify.
Musk’s History with Islam-Related Content
This is not the first time Musk has been at the centre of a row linked to Islam or Muslim communities online. Questions about Musk’s views gained further momentum given previous controversies tied to content shared on X. Over the years, he has faced criticism from various groups over his engagement with politically charged posts on immigration, religion and free speech, while supporters have defended him as someone who encourages open debate rather than endorsing specific viewpoints.
American Muslim scholar Omar Suleiman slammed Musk over his “Islamophobic” posts, arguing that Musk only highlights selected incidents in the name of Islam. Meanwhile, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has condemned Musk’s remarks in the past, calling him a hateful person whose words fuel Islamophobia.
Why This Matters Beyond the Argument
The Musk Muharram procession story is not just about one repost. It shows how much power the owner of a major social media platform holds. One silent repost by Musk, with no caption, no explanation, and no context, was enough to send a local religious event to global headlines and generate millions of reactions in hours.
What is clear is that his reaction turned a local procession into a global talking point, drawing renewed attention to both the significance of Muharram and the power of social media to turn a single remark into an international discussion.
For Pakistani and Muslim audiences in particular, the episode is a reminder of how misrepresented or decontextualised content about Islamic practices can spread fast when amplified by high-profile accounts. X’s own hateful conduct policy states that users may not promote violence against or directly attack people on the basis of religion, though enforcement of that policy continues to be debated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Elon Musk post about Muharram?
Musk reposted a video originally shared by the X account RadioGenoa. The clip showed a large Shia Muslim Muharram procession on a UK street. The original caption questioned how Manchester could look like that. Musk added a brief comment saying it could not be Manchester, though some reports say he reposted it silently.
What is Muharram and what do the processions involve?
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. For Shia Muslims, it is a time of mourning for Imam Hussain, who was killed at Karbala in 680 CE. Processions, known as juloos, are held in cities around the world. Some participants perform matam, a form of rhythmic chest-beating, as an act of grief and devotion.
Why did the Musk Muharram procession repost spark so much anger?
Critics said Musk amplified the video without explaining what the procession was, which they felt encouraged negative reactions toward Muslims. Many pointed out that large religious gatherings from other faiths happen regularly with no similar attention from Musk. Supporters said he was simply surprised by the size of the crowd and was not making a religious comment.
Was the video actually from Manchester?
The original caption claimed Manchester, but Musk’s own AI chatbot Grok, when asked, suggested the footage was most likely from Birmingham, West Midlands, based on visible shop names and building styles. The exact location was debated widely in the comments.
