A deeply disturbing incident unfolded in the heart of Sweden’s capital, as two individuals desecrated a copy of the Quran, kicking the sacred text and burning its pages in front of the Royal Palace. The incident occurred at Mynttorget, a central square surrounded by governmental buildings and the palace. This marked the second occurrence of such an act by Salwan Momika, 37, and Salwan Najem, 48, within a matter of weeks.
Although the act is legally permissible under Sweden’s freedom of speech laws, the desecration triggered a significant police presence and drew the attention of counterprotesters. Amid a heavy and vocal counterprotest, the two men utilized a megaphone to engage in an orchestrated and dramatic defilement of the Quran.
Counterprotesters, equipped with their own megaphones, voiced their opposition, creating an overpowering chorus that drowned out the actions of Momika and Najem.
As permitted, individuals engaging in such actions are granted a one-hour window for the act, following which the police disperse the gathering. Attendees are then allowed to salvage any remains of the desecrated holy book.
On this occasion, the two men had printed multiple pages of the Quran, including Arabic text and Swedish translations. These pages scattered across the square, carried by the wind.
After their departure under police escort, others in the area swiftly moved to gather the pages from the ground and the walls leading to the Royal Palace.
This disturbing incident is not isolated. Throughout the year, Sweden and Denmark have witnessed several Quran burnings, sparking outrage within Muslim communities. These actions have led to diplomatic tensions and calls for boycotts of Swedish products in certain countries.
The repercussions have extended to violent protests, such as the storming and torching of the Swedish embassy in Iraq by followers of Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr.
In response to these actions, the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has warned citizens against travel to Sweden due to potential terrorist threats stemming from the burnings.
The Swedish government, while refraining from broad changes to its freedom of speech laws, has expressed an intent to explore measures that would allow law enforcement to intervene in cases where the burning of holy books poses a clear threat to national security.
Amid this turmoil, both Momika and Najem are under investigation for suspicion of incitement against an ethnic group.
