ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A United Nations body on Thursday expressed its “unequivocal condemnation” of the burning of a Quran copy outside of a mosque in Sweden’s capital Stockholm, calling the desecration of religious books “unacceptable” while also emphasizing the need for protecting freedom of expression. Iraqi refugee Salwan Momika, 37, 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. The action has been condemned by many Islamic countries, with the strongest reactions coming out of Momika’s home country Iraq, where dozens of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr supporters on Thursday stormed the Swedish embassy in protest, as Baghdad demands authorities in Stockholm to extradite the refugee so he can be subjected to prosecution. “Such vile act is disrespectful to Muslims who are celebrating the holy occasion of Eid al-Adha,” read a statement attributed to Miguel Moratinos, High-Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC). Moratinos described freedom of expression as “a fundamental human right,” but also stressed that disrespecting religious texts, temples, and symbols were “unacceptable” as they can incite violence. “Mutual respect is essential for building and promoting just, inclusive and peaceful societies rooted in human rights and dignity for all,” the statement added. Momika held a live stream on his Facebook account on Thursday, criticizing Sadr and other Iraqi figures, while vowing to burn another copy of the Quran and an Iraqi flag outside of the Iraqi embassy in Stockholm “in the upcoming days.” The burning of the Quran, authorized by Swedish authorities, was heavily criticized by Ankara, which has for over a year opposed Stockholm’s bid to join NATO. Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General, on Thursday said that he understands the “emotions and depth of feelings” provoked by the burning of the Quran in Stockholm, but urged for compromise over Sweden’s accession into the military alliance as he claimed that the Nordic country has “delivered on all its obligations.” Sweden and Turkey are set to meet on July 6 in Brussels, with NATO members pushing for Stockholm’s accession before the summit in Lithuania several days later. Swedish police have recently rejected applications for demonstrations against the Quran but these have been overruled by courts, saying the decision violated freedom of speech.
World08-06-2026EU sanctions IRGC Navy unit, two individuals over Strait of Hormuz shipping disruption
