Why was Morgan Freeman at a London mosque?

The renowned actor caused a stir on social media after he joined the Shia community observing a sermon on the eve of Ashura.
Narrated
2 min read
The New Arab Staff

The New Arab

13 Oct, 2016
The actor joined worshippers on the eve of Ashura [Twitter]
Ashura is traditionally a very serious and sombre affair, where silence, mourning and even self-flagellation dominate the commemoration.

But in a London mosque on the eve of the holy day, worshippers would be forgiven for being a little distracted.
Sat cross-legged on the floor among Shia Muslims observing the sermon was screen legend Morgan Freeman.

Pictures of the Shawshank Redemption actor quickly flooded social media, with celebrity spotters wondering how the A-lister came to be involved in the religious ritual.
It turns out Freeman's appearance at the Al-Khoie Foundation on Tuesday was part of his documentary series The Story of God, which will explore different cultures and religions to uncover the meaning of life.

Freeman's mosque appearance was not the only head-turning event this Muharram.

In Lebanon, a number of bizarre videos and pictures emerged of a man dressed as Barney the dinosaur dancing and then falling from a parade float in Dahieh.
 
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