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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Dozens of protesters on Thursday stormed the Swedish embassy building in Baghdad following a call for an “angry” demonstration by a top Shiite cleric against burning of a copy of the Quran in Stockholm.
Iraqi refugee Salwan Momika, 37, stomped on the holy book outside a mosque in Stockholm on Wednesday while Muslims were celebrating Eid al-Adha around the world. The action has been condemned by many Islamic countries.
Iraqi top Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr on Thursday called for a large “angry” protest outside Sweden’s embassy in Baghdad on Friday, demanding the expulsion of its ambassador from the country as well.
Dozens of Sadr supporters stormed the Swedish embassy Thursday afternoon and made preparations for a larger demonstration in the same place on Friday.
No damage to the embassy building or its staff was immediately reported.
“Down with Momika, down with Israel, down with America, yes to Islam, yes to the Quran. We condemn the action and hopefully a million-strong demonstration will be held here tomorrow,” a protester told Rudaw, adding that they want the expulsion of Sweden’s ambassador as well.
The Iraqi government, judiciary, and foreign ministry have also condemned the burning of the Quran, with the judiciary stating that it will launch procedures to request the extradition of Momika.
Other Muslim countries including Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey also voiced their condemnation of the act.
Iraqi refugee Salwan Momika, 37, stomped on the holy book outside a mosque in Stockholm on Wednesday while Muslims were celebrating Eid al-Adha around the world. The action has been condemned by many Islamic countries.
Iraqi top Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr on Thursday called for a large “angry” protest outside Sweden’s embassy in Baghdad on Friday, demanding the expulsion of its ambassador from the country as well.
Dozens of Sadr supporters stormed the Swedish embassy Thursday afternoon and made preparations for a larger demonstration in the same place on Friday.
No damage to the embassy building or its staff was immediately reported.
“Down with Momika, down with Israel, down with America, yes to Islam, yes to the Quran. We condemn the action and hopefully a million-strong demonstration will be held here tomorrow,” a protester told Rudaw, adding that they want the expulsion of Sweden’s ambassador as well.
The Iraqi government, judiciary, and foreign ministry have also condemned the burning of the Quran, with the judiciary stating that it will launch procedures to request the extradition of Momika.
Other Muslim countries including Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey also voiced their condemnation of the act.
Iraqi protesters storm Swedish Embassy in Baghdad to protest burning of Quran copy https://t.co/6R2iy9cKlw pic.twitter.com/eGNO8AqKfa
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) June 29, 2023
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