What happened?
In the summer of 2023, Sweden faced a diplomatic crisis and gained global attention due to a series of Quran burning protests. These protests were orchestrated by Salwan Momika, who led demonstrations in Sweden against the Islamic faith and called for a ban on the Quran. On June 28, 2023, during Eid al-Adha, a significant Islamic holiday, Momika appeared outside the Stockholm Mosque. He displayed Swedish flags, tore and burned a Quran, and added a strip of bacon to it. Following the initial protest, Momika organized two more demonstrations in Stockholm, where he physically mistreated a copy of the Muslim holy book without setting it on fire. It’s important to note that he had obtained official permission from Swedish authorities to conduct these acts, granted by a judge in accordance with Sweden’s commitment to free speech principles. These actions by Momika triggered protests globally. The acts not only divided public opinion but also sparked international discussions about the delicate balance between freedom of expression and the need to safeguard religious sensitivities. This tumultuous episode had extensive repercussions, significantly affecting Sweden’s diplomatic relationships and fueling debates on the limits of religious tolerance and freedom of expression, especially within the context of Sweden’s NATO membership.[1]
Who is Salwan Momika: Money or Freedom?
Salwan Momika, a 37-year-old refugee from Iraq, relocated to Sweden in 2018 and was granted refugee status in April 2021. While some sources suggest that he is an Iraqi Christian, he describes himself as an atheist and identifies as a politician, thinker, and author on his Facebook page. He has explained that his motive for burning the Quran is to protest against Islam and emphasize the importance of freedom of speech.[2]However, there are varying opinions about his motivations. Some people argue that he had specific aims and knew what he was doing, while others view him as an opportunist seeking public fame and money through his social media accounts, such as TikTok. Over the years, Momika has changed his stances multiple times, leading to accusations of opportunism.
Momika’s background in Iraq includes affiliations with various groups. He served as a former militia leader affiliated with the Popular Mobilization Forces, a pro-Iran group, to combat ISIS (the Islamic State). He attempted to align himself with the Sadrist Movement, an Iraqi Shi’a Islamic national movement and political party. He also established ties with the Sinjar Protection Units, a Yazidi militia believed to have close connections to the banned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Furthermore, he has been alleged to have links with Mossad since 2019, according to an Iranian Ministry of Intelligence report.[3] Momika’s activities on social media have raised questions about his motivations—whether they are driven by a quest for freedom or financial gain. He mentioned earning between $100 and $300 from TikTok in an hour during a livestream, and his videos turned into an income-generating source for him. However, TikTok clarified that it deactivated a feature allowing users to give money to Momika due to his Quran desecration videos, which caused outrage in many Muslim countries. As a result, there are many assumptions for his motivations to burn the Quran, but no consensus on which one.[4]
Sweden Approach
The issue at the heart of this matter revolves around the delicate balance between fundamental rights, including freedom of expression, freedom of demonstration, and freedom of religion, all of which are constitutionally protected in Sweden. The responses from the government, the judiciary, and the public have illuminated the intricate interplay of these rights, legal principles, and democratic values. In the immediate aftermath of the protest, the Swedish government promptly and firmly condemned the acts deemed Islamophobic within its borders, asserting that the burning of the Quran was not in line with Swedish law. However, the court’s perspective diverged, deeming these actions protected under Sweden’s free speech legislation, initiating a contentious legal debate.[5] The apparent discrepancy in responses between the government and the court stems from their distinct roles and responsibilities. The Swedish government, mindful of its political ramifications in the context of NATO negotiations, aimed to avoid rejection due to its stance on the issue. Conversely, the judiciary, as an independent branch of government, interprets and applies the law impartially, aligning with Sweden’s fundamental right in addressing the Quran burning crisis. Over time, the government’s stance evolved in response to significant public reactions.
Public opinion within Sweden exhibited notable divisions. Some argued that the Quran burning transcended the bounds of free speech and constituted hate speech, a perspective in harmony with Sweden’s commitment to religious tolerance and the fight against hate crimes. Conversely, a majority of the public contended that freedom of expression is a fundamental right in Sweden and should remain unrestricted, even when dealing with contentious or offensive actions. Ultimately, the Swedish government reached a verdict in line with the country’s laws. Criticizing a religion or its symbols is not considered an offense in Sweden and falls under the purview of freedom of expression, constitutionally safeguarded. However, there may be situations where such actions are perceived as incitement against a specific population group, a determination made by the courts based on the individual case’s circumstances.[6] Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson reaffirmed Sweden’s commitment to freedom of speech, emphasizing the need for responsible and respectful usage of this freedom. In a free and democratic country like Sweden, where a significant degree of freedom is enjoyed, an equally substantial level of responsibility is expected. Kristersson underscored that not everything that is legal is appropriate, it can be lawful but still awful.[7]
International Response
The Quran Burning protest has divided the world into two distinct groups, with Russia appearing with the first group due to its policial calculation. Many Muslim-majority countries, such as Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Pakistan, view the Quran burning as an “incitement to religious hatred, discrimination, and an attempt to provoke violence,” carried out with government approval and a sense of impunity. Some nations are focusing on diplomatic measures, while others stress the paramount importance of respecting religious beliefs. Pope Francis also joined those condemning the act, expressing his strong disapproval and underscoring the necessity to show reverence for all sacred texts. In addition, Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned Sweden for allowing Quran burnings, characterizing it as a manifestation of pure hatred.[8]
On the other hand, the second group expressed disapproval of the Quran burning but also emphasized that permitting the demonstration upheld the principle of freedom of expression. Member countries of this group include Germany, France, Belgium, Costa Rica, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Romania. In this context, Russia’s stance appears more opportunistic. While Russian President Vladimir Putin projected himself as a defender of Islam through his speech in news channels controlled by the Turkish government in Turkey, an image of President Putin holding the Quran has gone viral in Lebanon. The picture is accompanied by an inscription – ‘Guardian and Protector of Religions.’ It was taken during Putin’s visit to a mosque in the Republic of Dagestan, where he vehemently condemned the burning of the Islamic holy text in Sweden.[9] These developments have arisen amidst negotiations with Turkey and Sweden to join NATO. Sweden has accused Russia-backed disinformation networks of disseminating false claims that the Swedish government supported the burnings to undermine Sweden’s NATO membership prospects.
Conclusion
Salman Momika’s protests in Sweden sparked debates about freedom of expression, religious sensitivities, and striking a balance between the two internally and externally. It also exposed the complexities of managing fundamental rights and responsibilities in a democratic society, like Sweden. Momika’s actions were legally protected by Swedish law but widely condemned, especially in Muslim-majority nations, for their perceived offense and incitement to hatred. In conclusion, his protests serve as a case study, raising questions about the boundary between freedom of expression and hate speech and whether they can coexist in a society.
[1] “Outcry over Quran burning in Sweden: A timeline.”Aljazeera. Published July 20, 2023. Accessed October 5, 2023. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/7/20/outcry-over-quran-burning-in-sweden-a-timeline.
[2] Dana Taib Menmy, “Explainer: Who is Salwan Momika, the infamous Iraqi who burnt the Quran in Sweden and headed a militia,” (July 6, 2023), https://who-salwan-momika-infamous-iraqi-who-burnt-quran.
[3] Who is Salwan Momika, the Quran burner sparking international tensions between Sweden and Muslim nations.” TIMESOFINDIA.COM July 21, 2023. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/who-is-salwan-momika-the-quran-burner-sparking-international-tensions-between-Sweden-and-muslim-nations/articleshow/102001126.cms?from=mdr.
[4] Burak Bir, “Salwan Momika: Quran burnings for freedom or money?” (September 1, 2023 – Updated: September 7, 2023), https://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/salwan-momika-quran-burnings-for-freedom-or-money/2981044.
[5] Ritter, Karl. “Why does Sweden allow Quran burnings? Like much of the West, it has no blasphemy laws.” AP News. Published 2:17, July 20, 2023. Accessed October 5, 2023. https://apnews.com/article/quran-burning-sweden-iraq-6d34553f6a939995d5551830b0c556f2.
[6] Ministry of Justice. “Freedom of expression and freedom to demonstrate in Sweden.” Published January 26, 2023. Accessed October 5, 2023. https://www.government.se/articles/2023/01/freedom-of-expression-and-freedom-to-demonstrate-in-sweden/.
[7] Sweden Plans to Step up Border Controls as the Security Situation Worsens During the Quran Burning Crisis.” Updated, August 1, 2023. https://apnews.com/article/sweden-prime-minister-border-control-quran-burning-ebf17cefb5c4a30f4ccea527bb16efc1#.
[8] 2023 Quran burnings in Sweden: Global Reactions.” Wikipedia, last modified October 7, 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Quran_burnings_in_Sweden#:~:text=In%202023%2C%20a%20number%20of,some%20 English%2nd Language%20media
[9] Putin Holding Quran Image Is Viral Amid Sweden Protest; ‘Guardian Of Religions’ Tag.” Hindustan Times Videos, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELLSALJNDBo (July 11, 2023).
