Makkah Grand Imam Warns Against AI Deepfakes, Voice Cloning
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
The Imam and preacher of Masjid al-Haram, Sheikh Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, has warned Muslims against using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create deceptive videos, clone voices and spread fabricated information.
Al-Sudais gave the warning during Friday’s sermon at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on October 9, describing the deceptive use of technology to fabricate content and mislead the public as prohibited lying under Islamic law.
According to Saudi media outlets Sabq and Ajel, the prominent Islamic scholar cautioned against manipulating videos, imitating voices and attributing statements, images or recordings to individuals who never produced them.
He warned that such practices violate people’s rights, privacy and reputations, particularly when fabricated material is circulated as authentic content.
The Imam also stressed that operating anonymous social media accounts does not exempt users from responsibility for their online activities, noting that every word spoken, written or shared would be subject to accountability.
He cautioned that false information often spreads faster than corrections, urging Muslims to verify the authenticity of news, photographs, videos and audio recordings before sharing them.
Makkah Grand Imam Warns Against AI Deepfakes, Voice Cloning
Al-Sudais, however, did not condemn artificial intelligence itself, describing modern technology and social media as blessings from God that should be used responsibly and for beneficial purposes.
He warned that unverified claims could fuel rumours, damage relationships, violate privacy and undermine public trust, urging users to exercise caution before forwarding potentially misleading content.
The sermon comes amid growing concerns over increasingly convincing AI-generated videos and cloned voices, which make it difficult for audiences to distinguish genuine recordings from manipulated material.
Religious figures have also been targeted by fabricated content. A previously reported fake video falsely portrayed Al-Sudais making a supplication concerning tensions between Pakistan and India, highlighting the risks of sharing unverified recordings involving respected scholars.
In the second part of his sermon, Al-Sudais reportedly emphasised Islamic unity and condemned hostile actions targeting the holy cities, declaring the security and sanctity of Makkah and Madinah a red line.
His warning reinforces the importance of responsible digital communication, particularly when sharing content attributed to religious leaders, public officials and other prominent personalities.
