Sweden

By Muhammad Sulaiman

Salwan Momika, the Iraqi refugee known for organizing Quran-burning demonstrations in Sweden, was shot and killed on Wednesday night in Södertälje, near Stockholm.

According to Swedish authorities, police responded to reports of gunfire at an apartment building, where they found Momika with multiple gunshot wounds. He was later pronounced dead. Five individuals have been arrested in connection with the shooting as investigations continue.

Momika gained international notoriety in 2023 for desecrating copies of the Quran, sparking widespread protests and condemnation from Muslim-majority countries. He moved to Sweden in 2018 and had been granted a three-year residence permit.

At the time of his death, he was facing trial for incitement to hatred, with a verdict scheduled for Thursday morning. The court has since postponed the ruling.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson confirmed that the country’s security service is involved in the investigation, citing possible foreign links to the killing.

Authorities are yet to disclose a motive, but the killing has raised concerns over tensions surrounding Momika’s controversial actions.

By Muhammadu Sabiu

Sweden’s security agencies have reported a worsening security situation in the country, following the controversial decision to permit the burning of the Holy Quran.

This decision, made nine months ago, has not only drawn international criticism but has also cost the nation approximately $200,000, according to a recent report from a national media outlet.

The act of burning the Holy Quran, carried out by individuals including Danish politician Rasmus Paludan and Iraqi refugee Salwan Momika, has incurred significant financial repercussions.

Sweden has reportedly lost 2.2 million Swedish krona (equivalent to $199,300) due to these highly contentious actions, as confirmed by Sveriges Radio.

The controversial activities surrounding Quran burning have necessitated increased police presence and intervention to maintain security, as outlined in the report released by the radio station.

Instances of Quran Burning in Sweden

The burning of the Holy Quran has triggered global outrage and scrutiny, with both Sweden and Denmark facing criticism for permitting such actions and even providing police protection to those involved.

Rasmus Paludan, the leader of the far-right Stram Kurs party, has conducted Quran burnings in multiple Swedish cities, including Malmo, Norrkoping, Jonkoping, and Stockholm.

Notably, he burned copies of the Quran during Easter last year and, on June 21, staged a Quran burning outside the Turkish embassy in Sweden.

Salwan Momika garnered international attention when he burned the Quran outside a mosque in Stockholm during Eid.

On July 20, he threw the Quran outside the Iraqi embassy in Sweden, along with the Iraqi flag, and trampled them.

He also conducted a Quran burning outside the Swedish Parliament building on July 31.

Additionally, Bahrami Marjan, an Iranian refugee, engaged in Quran burning near Stockholm in early August.

Salwan Momika continued these acts, burning another Quran outside the Iranian Embassy in Sweden and another outside the Stockholm Mosque in subsequent weeks.

These actions have severely tarnished Sweden’s international reputation and placed additional pressure on its security forces.

Despite these challenges, the country’s authorities have allowed Momika to continue burning copies of the Holy Quran.

By Muhammad Abdurrahman

Pope Francis expressed his strong disapproval of the burning of the Quran, stating that he was both angry and disgusted by the act. He rejected any notion that this action could be considered a form of freedom of speech.

Recently, there was an incident of Quran’s desecration in Sweden where a man burned a copy of the sacred book outside a mosque in the country’s capital city. The Pope has made remarks in response to this event.

On Sunday, 57 Muslim states — under the banner of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation — said that collective measures are needed to prevent acts of desecration of the Quran and that international law should be used to stop religious hatred.

Swedish police had granted Momika a permit in line with free speech protections, but authorities later said they had opened an investigation over “agitation against an ethnic group”, noting that Momika had burnt pages from the Islamic holy book very close to the mosque.

Sweden’s government condemned Momika’s actions on Sunday, calling them “Islamophobic”.

By Muhammadu Sabiu
 
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