| 21 July 2023
Tensions between Iraq and Sweden reached a boiling point as protesters stormed and set fire to the Swedish embassy in Baghdad. The incident comes in the wake of an inflammatory act in Stockholm where a Quran was threatened to be burned, inciting outrage across the Muslim-majority world and prompting demonstrations in several countries.
The recent unrest was sparked by the actions of Salwan Momika, a 37-year-old Iraqi refugee in Sweden, who defiled the Quran on June 28 in front of Stockholm's largest mosque. Though the holy book was not actually burned as initially threatened, the act garnered condemnation from multiple nations, including Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Morocco, and Iraq.
Supporters of influential Iraqi Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr were among those expressing anger over the desecration of the Quran. Al-Sadr, positioning himself as a populist, holds significant sway in Iraq, and his followers have previously overrun the country's parliament.
The situation escalated when al-Sadr's supporters called for the burning of the Swedish embassy in Baghdad. On July 11, protesters responded to the call and set parts of the building ablaze, leading to the Iraqi government's decision to expel Sweden's ambassador.
The incident in Sweden and its subsequent fallout has had widespread repercussions. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned Sweden for allowing anti-Islam protests under the guise of freedom of expression, and Morocco recalled its ambassador to Sweden indefinitely. Various Muslim-majority countries, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, and the UAE, also voiced their strong condemnation of the act.
In response to the international outcry, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation called for collective measures and international law to prevent such incidents of Quran desecration in the future. Sweden's government itself condemned the act, categorizing it as "Islamophobic."
The issue was further addressed on a global scale when Muslim nations filed a motion at the United Nations human rights body, urging countries to review their laws to address acts and advocacy of religious hatred. Subsequently, the UN Human Rights Council approved a resolution on religious hatred and bigotry, although, like all council resolutions, it is not legally binding.
As tensions remain high between Iraq and Sweden, it is essential for governments to engage in diplomatic dialogue to resolve the matter peacefully. Incidents like these not only strain international relations but also threaten global stability. In the age of interconnectedness, understanding and respect for different cultures and religions are vital for maintaining peace and harmony worldwide.
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