Epidemiologist and infectious diseases specialist Professor Salim Abdool Karim says claims about him receiving money from Microsoft founder Bill Gates is fake news.
A message being widely circulated on social media platforms and initially tweeted by Critical Observer from an account which has since been suspended, claims that Professor Karim received a minimum of R944m from Gates for vaccine strategies and policy decisions.
The message also alleges that because Professor Karim sits on the board of the Gates Foundation, he cannot be neutral in his decisions about the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement authenticated by Radio Islam, Professor Karim says he has no patience for fake news and conspiracy theories.
“This fake news about me receiving money from Gates is spreading within the Muslim community. It is from a fake news twitter account that was closed by twitter for spreading other fake news as well. I have served on the Gates Foundation Scientific Advisory Board for about 10 years. I also Chair the WHO Scientific Committee on HIV and lots of other committee. Since when is it wrong to advise these bodies? Because I am an Advisor to the Gates Foundation, I do not have grant funding from Gates. Please convey the truth to help stop the fake news”
Professor Karim says it is a sad indictment that while we should be proud of the incredible achievements of those in our community and inspired by them, many people fall victim to fake news and conspiracy theories.
“We repeatedly speak of the achievements of Islamic scholars during the Golden Age of Islam and ask ourselves why we are where we are currently. When you spread fake news and when you fall for it, when you fail to recognize those who are scientists and researchers and doing incredible work when you deny all of this on the one hand yet decry the absence of Muslim scholars then you deny the Muslim ummah any hope for progress in this age.”
Professor Karim says those who perpetuate the trajectory of spreading fake news should indulge in deep introspection about their actions.
Faizel Patel
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