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Arab World’s Outcry in the Aftermath of Prolific Quran Burnings in Europe

July 28, 2023
Salwan Momika in a protest outside the Stockholm Mosque holding the Quran. Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP.

As Muslims worldwide celebrated Eid Al Adha on 28 June, Salwan Momika, an Iraqi Christian refugee in Sweden, burned a Quran in front of the Stockholm Mosque, after being granted permission by Swedish authorities. Like the spark that lights off a powder keg, the incident sent ripples across the world. The international community condemned the act, labeling it Islamophobic and bigoted. The more extreme reaction perhaps came from Iraq, as hundreds of Iraqis were frustrated at their government’s reaction. Iraq summoned the Swedish ambassador and condemned the incident. However, it seems that many felt that this was not enough, deciding to take matters into their own hands. On 30 June, the protestors, roused by Shia leader Muqtada Al Sadr’s words, stormed the Swedish embassy in Baghdad, occupying the complex for 15 minutes before dispersing as local security forces deployed. Escalating Tensions In mid-July, the situation escalated further when Momika organized an event promising to burn the Quran for the second time. Following his announcement, the Swedish embassy’s staff in Baghdad were evacuated. On 20 July, The 37-year-old stomped on the Islamic holy scripture outside the Iraqi embassy in Stockholm. Iraq…


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