Man Who Burned Quran in Sweden Shot Dead in Södertälje
A man who sparked violent protests by burning the Quran has been shot and killed in Sweden, according to local news reports. Salwan Momika, who was 38 years old, was found dead in an apartment in Södertälje, a city near Stockholm, on Wednesday evening.
The unrest began earlier in 2023 when Mr. Momika set fire to a copy of Islam’s holy book outside the Stockholm Central Mosque. This act led to widespread anger and protests, particularly from Muslim communities. Following his actions, protests erupted in various places, including outside the Swedish embassy in Baghdad, where demonstrators expressed their outrage. The situation escalated to the point where the Swedish ambassador was expelled from Iraq due to the diplomatic fallout.
On the night of the shooting, Stockholm police confirmed that five people were arrested after a man in his 40s was shot dead. Local media reported that Mr. Momika was livestreaming on social media at the time of the incident, indicating that he was likely aware of the attention his actions had garnered.
Mr. Momika, originally from Iraq, had been living in Sweden for some time. In August, he faced legal charges along with another person for “agitation against an ethnic group.” These charges were connected to four different incidents that occurred over the summer of 2023. The court was scheduled to deliver its verdict on Thursday, but this was postponed when it was confirmed that one of the defendants had died.
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Throughout the summer, Mr. Momika organised multiple protests that were critical of Islam, which led to significant backlash in several Muslim-majority countries. His actions were viewed as inflammatory and disrespectful, fuelling anger and protests not only in Sweden but also abroad. In addition to the protests in Iraq, there were demonstrations in other countries, showing the international impact of his actions.
In light of these events, Swedish authorities had initially allowed Mr. Momika to conduct the protest where he burnt the Quran, citing the country’s strong laws regarding freedom of speech. Sweden is known for its commitment to free expression, which sometimes leads to controversial actions being legally permitted. However, the government later indicated that it might seek legal ways to restrict such protests in the future, particularly when they incite violence or public disorder.
The situation surrounding Mr. Momika’s actions and subsequent death highlights the delicate balance between freedom of speech and the potential for that freedom to provoke violence and unrest. As the story unfolds, it raises questions about the responsibilities that come with such freedoms and how societies can navigate the complexities of cultural and religious sensitivities.
Content Credit| Kemi Arowolo
Picture Credit | https://www.thehindu.com/
