Did the Saudi authorities execute the Hussaini reciter Ali Gharib?
Every year for several years, with the arrival of the month of Muharram, some social media users circulate a fake news claiming "Saudi authorities execute the Hussaini reciter Ali Gharib," which leads to increased hate speech and sectarian tensions on social media platforms.
In previous years (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022), we have clarified the truth of this news after it was circulated, with claims that the reason for the execution was a poem by him containing the following verse: "The sin is that we loved the family of Muhammad, and thus we were forcibly killed."
Upon reviewing the accounts of (Ali Gharib) and his brother (Hisham Gharib), it becomes clear that the news is fake and untrue, and Gharib is still alive.
Month of Muharram
It is the first month in the Hijri calendar, during which one of the most significant religious events for Muslims occurs, where they commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein and his companions in Karbala during the Battle of Karbala.
In the first days of the month, what is known as "Hussaini Majalis" are held, where religious sermons, stories, and Hussaini poems about Hussein are recited. Processions with a religious nature are also held to commemorate the event and express sorrow in various ways (such as wearing black, raising Hussaini flags and pictures, offering food called "Thawab"), among other rituals.