Salwan Momika: The Controversial Iraqi Refugee Who Sparked International Tensions with Quran Burnings

Salwan Momika, a 38-year-old Iraqi refugee, was shot dead in Sweden after sparking international controversy with his Quran burnings. His protests, which included stomping on the Quran and wrapping it in bacon, led to diplomatic tensions and death threats. He was facing charges of inciting racial hatred.

Salwan Momika, a 38-year-old Iraqi refugee, made headlines for his provocative actions in Sweden. In June 2023, he sparked outrage by stomping on the Quran and wrapping it in bacon before lighting a few pages on fire. This act of desecration was part of a series of protests he staged, including one outside Iraq’s embassy in Stockholm.
Momika’s actions were met with widespread condemnation, including from Turkey, which at the time was blocking Sweden’s NATO membership. The Swedish government faced diplomatic backlash, with Iraq expelling Sweden’s ambassador and revoking the license for telecom firm Ericsson to operate in the country.
Despite facing death threats and police protection during his protests, Momika continued to express his views. He had originally planned to stage his Stockholm protest in February 2023 but was initially denied a permit due to security concerns. The ruling was later overturned in court, allowing him to proceed with his demonstration.
Momika’s ambitions extended beyond activism; he expressed interest in running for a seat in parliament as a representative for the Sweden Democrats, an anti-immigration party. However, his actions did not align with the party’s views, and they distanced themselves from him.
On the day before a court verdict in his trial for inciting racial hatred, Momika was shot dead at his home in Södertälje, near Stockholm. The Swedish government cited a “foreign power” as a possible motive for the attack, adding to the mystery surrounding his death.

Q1: What were Salwan Momika’s actions that sparked international controversy?
A1: Momika burned the Quran and wrapped it in bacon during his protests, which included stomping on the holy book and lighting it on fire.

Q2: What were the consequences of his actions?

A2: His actions led to diplomatic tensions between Sweden and Iraq, including the expulsion of Sweden’s ambassador and the revocation of Ericsson’s operating license in Iraq.

Q3: How did the Swedish government respond to his protests?

A3: The Swedish government initially denied him a permit for his protest due to security concerns but later overturned the decision in court, allowing him to proceed.

Q4: What were Momika’s political ambitions?

A4: Momika expressed interest in running for a seat in parliament as a representative for the Sweden Democrats, an anti-immigration party.

Q5: What happened to Momika before his death?

A5: Before his death, Momika was facing charges of inciting racial hatred and had received numerous death threats. He was shot dead at his home in Södertälje, near Stockholm, just before a court verdict in his trial.

Salwan Momika’s provocative actions and subsequent death highlight the complexities of free speech and the consequences of inciting racial hatred. His case underscores the need for careful consideration of the impact of such actions on international relations and personal safety.