Iraq is the country in the Middle East where the protests against the Koran burnings have been the most violent. Last summer, the Koran burnings aroused such anger that crowds stormed the Swedish embassy in Baghdad. The Swedish flag was burned and Sweden’s ambassador was asked to leave the country. The embassy is still closed.
The fact that the Koran-burner Salwan Momika is Iraqi has further fueled the anger. Iraq wants him extradited from Sweden to Iraq.
“Everyone is affected”
Salwan Momika comes from the Christian town of Hamdaniya in northern Iraq. SVT has tried to visit the city, but because the issue is extremely sensitive, we are not allowed to enter the city. But several residents we meet just outside the city testify to great concern among Christians in Hamdaniya.
– If a Christian burns the Koran, people think that all Christians agree. What Salwan is doing affects us even though we are all completely against what he is doing, says a man who wishes to remain anonymous.
SVT has previously reported that on July 11 this summer, the Swedish Migration Agency opened a case concerning Salwan Momika, which was based, among other things, on pictures where he posed with weapons in military contexts in Iraq.
He himself has previously denied having participated in combat in Iraq and when SVT reaches him, he repeats the message.
– I have not participated in any war or in any illegal organization, says Salwan Momika.
He says he is now an atheist.
Tense security mode
In 2014, the terrorist group Islamic State, IS, took over the large city of Mosul in northern Iraq. Soon after, the terrorists also attacked Christian villages and towns, and residents of Hamdaniya were forced to flee. In 2017, the IS reign of terror was defeated and Hamdaniya and other cities were liberated.
Due to the security situation in Iraq, there are many roadblocks in the country that people have to pass on a daily basis. Often it can become tense between Shia Muslims, Sunnis, Kurds and Christians.
– When we pass roadblocks from Hamdaniya, soldiers can say: “You are Christians in Salwan Momika’s group”. But it doesn’t just affect us, but all Christians in Mosul and Baghdad too, says a man to SVT.
People we meet are worried about what might happen if the Koran burnings continue. The insecurity many Christians feel can turn into fear:
– Some fear that they will get hurt. People may be forced to leave Iraq.