On September 16, 2025, a viral video surfaced on social media, allegedly from a Muslim terrorist group threatening to burn the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris unless French officials release Brahim Aouissaoui. Aouissaoui, a Tunisian national, was responsible for a brutal terrorist attack in Nice in 2020 that left three people dead. The video features three masked individuals who brandish an insignia resembling that of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist faction. One speaker ominously declares that “your churches will be burned by God’s will,” heightening fears of a potential resurgence of religiously motivated violence in France.
Despite the alarming nature of the video, investigations reveal that it is not a new threat. A reverse image search shows it first circulated in January 2025 and was promptly discredited. Fact-checkers at France24 noted that the video was distributed through obscure channels, diverging from HTS’s usual communication methods. Furthermore, they suggested that the video likely has pro-Russian origins, as evidenced by inconsistencies in the insignia and the apparent Egyptian accents of the men in the footage. Some media outlets were misled by the video’s reappearance and have since retracted their initial reports, revealing the peril of misinformation in today’s digital landscape.
The resurgence of the video has not only stoked fears regarding religious extremism but has also led to the dissemination of outdated footage of Notre Dame engulfed in flames, depicting the cathedral’s accidental fire from April 2019. Misinterpretations of the video have been rampant across social media platforms, with users falsely claiming that the terrorist threat had been realized, thus amplifying panic and confusion among the public. This cycle of misinformation showcases the formidable challenge of discerning truth in an age dominated by rapid social media dissemination.
The background of Brahim Aouissaoui offers a grim context to these recent events. On October 29, 2020, Aouissaoui launched a horrific stabbing attack at the Notre-Dame basilica in Nice, resulting in the deaths of three individuals. The brutal nature of the attack included one victim with a throat cut that suggested an intent to decapitate. This attack occurred just weeks after the murder of teacher Samuel Paty by an Islamic extremist, exacerbating national fears regarding Islamic radicalism and prompting severe backlash against perceived threats to French secularism.
In February 2025, Aouissaoui was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment, further highlighting the ongoing struggle against terrorism in France. In the aftermath of similar attacks, French authorities have emphasized their commitment to tackling Islamic extremism, though such incidents continue to serve as grim reminders of the persistent dangers faced by society. The legal actions against Aouissaoui reflect a broader initiative to address terrorist acts and mitigate the radical elements within France.
As the situation unfolds, it is imperative for authorities and media outlets to remain vigilant against the spread of misinformation and to provide accurate accounts of events surrounding terrorism. The intersection of terrorism and social media in the modern age complicates the public’s understanding and response to threats, emphasizing the need for comprehensive strategies to counter both violence and the narratives that perpetuate fears. As France navigates these turbulent times, maintaining dialogue and fostering understanding within diverse communities will be crucial in preventing the radicalization that fuels such violent acts.
