Update (0914 EST): Iraqi protestors have entered the Swedish embassy.
????: ????? ?????? ?????? ???? ??????? ????????.#????_???_???? pic.twitter.com/Dujct08hKm
— ???? ??? ???? (@Shakwmakw) June 29, 2023
Update (0909 EST): Iraqi protestors have breached the central gate of the Swedish embassy in Baghdad.
On Wednesday, Salwan Momika, an Iraqi living in Sweden set fire to a Quran in front of Stockholm’s central mosque. This demonstration, now a reoccurring theme in Swedish politics, has sparked a fervor of outrage across the Muslim world. As of this morning several Muslim countries including Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey have condemned the demonstration, which was approved by Swedish authorities in accordance with their free speech laws. However, the demonstrations also came during Eid al-Adha, the second and the largest of the two main holidays celebrated in Islam. It honors the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son, Ishmael, as an act of obedience to God’s command.
The disgust across the Muslim world conflagrated first in Baghdad at approximately 0355 EST when Iraqi pro-militia outlets began calling for a protest outside of the Swedish embassy. The Movement for Support of Quran also called for expanded protests at 1700L, one hour from this publication. By 0834 EST, the Iraqi government weighed in when the President of the Supreme Judicial Council announced that legal actions could be taken against Momika.
#????
???? ?????? ??????? ???????? ?? ????? ??? ??? ?????? ?????? #???_?????? #??????_?????? #??????_????_??????_?????? #??????_????_?????? pic.twitter.com/CzJ9mVm2in— Mohammed Abadi (@0kzzz) June 29, 2023
As of this publication, hundreds of protestors have seemingly overwhelmed local security forces and have scaled the embassy outer walls, although it is not clear if they have gained access to the embassy grounds. Pro- militia outlets have announced that they hope to enter the embassy and have already burned several Swedish flags.
This incident is sure to enflame the already delicate relationship between Turkey and Sweden which just resolved issues concerning a previous Quran burning in March.
This is developing.
