Iraqi refugee Salwan Momika stomped on and burnt pages of the Islamic holy book outside a mosque in Stockholm on Wednesday as Muslims around the world were celebrating the first day of Eid al-Adha, sparking angry reactions from Muslim-majority countries.
Sadr had called for a million-man demonstration, but only several thousand of his supporters took to the streets on Friday, chanting “Yes, yes to the Quran,” a day after protesters stormed the Swedish embassy, entering the courtyard but causing no damage.
Police blocked the road to the embassy and Friday’s protest took place on nearby streets.
“We call on the Swedish government to punish this criminal and prevent such acts in the future,” Ismail Malik, one of the protesters, told Rudaw’s Anmar Ghazi, referring to Momika.
“Expel the Swedish ambassador from Iraq now and the person who insulted the Quran should be punished,” said another protester, Hussein Ali, echoing demands made by Sadr.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on Friday called the breaching of the country’s embassy in Baghdad “unacceptable” and urged calm and reflection in Sweden.
Momika’s protest was authorized by Swedish authorities under the principles of freedom of expression and assembly. Kristersson said that “just because some things are legal, they are not necessarily appropriate.”
Spokesperson for Iraq's foreign ministry Ahmed al-Sahaf on Friday said the ministry had received a letter from their Swedish counterparts condemning Momika’s actions and stating that police have begun an investigation into whether he violated Sweden’s hate crime law.
Supporters of Iraq’s influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr are holding a large demonstration in Baghdad, protesting the recent burning of the Quran in Stockholm.
— Rudaw English (@RudawEnglish) June 30, 2023
📽️: Rudaw pic.twitter.com/c4t8tFLA0X
