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On several occasions in June and July 2023, in Sweden and in Denmark, copies of the Quran were desecrated in public. As on similar occasions in the past, these incidents ignited a wave of protests, some violent, across the Arab and Islamic world, as well as in Muslim communities in the West. On two occasions, at demonstrations in Baghdad, supporters of prominent Iraqi-Shi'ite Islamic scholar Muqtada Al-Sadr broke into the Swedish Embassy and lit fires.[1] The Iran-backed Shi’ite militias in Iraq harshly condemned the desecrations of the Quran and called for the expulsion from Iraq of the Swedish ambassador, and punitive action against Swedish companies in the country. Milita spokesmen demanded that "Allah’s judgement" be carried out against those who desecrate the Quran and claimed that there is no difference between Sweden and the U.S. – "one enemy, one target." They also called to prepare for an extended war against the West until victory is achieved by the Quran and its supporters.[2]
See below for a sampling of the latest reactions from Iran-backed militias in Iraq:
"Whoever Burns The Quran His Blood Is Licit;" There Is No Difference Between Sweden And The U.S. – "One Enemy, One Target"
On July 20, 2023, an Iran-backed group in Iraq known as Saraya Awliya Al-Dam (The Companies of the Blood Guardians) posted a message on its Telegram channel saying that whoever burns the Quran "his blood is licit." The post urged the channel’s followers to provide precise information about such a person’s movements and hiding places, "in order to attain the honor of revenge against the perpetrator of this depraved act."[3]
In a July 20, 2023 post on Telegram, a channel linked to Iran-backed militias in Iraq published the address of a store in Baghdad that sells products made by the Swedish cosmetics brand Oriflame, and the name of the owner of the store, suggesting that supporters of the militia should target it.[4]
On July 20, 2023, the Iran-backed International Resistance Faction published a statement in response to the permission granted by the Swedish police to Iraqi expatriate Salwan Momika to hold a Quran-burning protest. The group stated that it does not distinguish between America and Sweden and that the two countries constitute the same target and the same enemy. It also warned that it has only demonstrated a small fraction of its power.[5]
Actions Of The Iraqi People "Understandable In Certain Events And Circumstances;" Muslims Should Prepare For A Long War In Which The Quran And Its Supporters Will Prevail
On July 22, 2023, Asa'ib Ahl Al-Haq militia leader Qais Al-Khazali praised the Iraqi government's position regarding cutting off diplomatic relations with Sweden for allowing the protest to take place, and said that the government had assumed a position of leadership that was appropriate for Iraq. He thanked the Iraqi people, and particularly its non-Muslim minorities, for their condemnation of the protest.
Referring to a Quran-burning protest in Denmark, Al-Khazali said that it is not clear whether the Danish government granted permission for it to take place, and called on the Iraqi government to investigate the matter. He stressed that the Iraqi government must take the necessary steps to protect the foreign diplomatic missions on its soil. Adding that the acts of the Iraqi people are "understandable in certain events and circumstances," he also maintained that it cannot be said that the government failed in its task. In addition, he said that actions that weaken Iraq and hinder its economic development should be avoided, and he praised the Iraqi security forces for preventing protestors from reaching the Danish Embassy. In addition, he called on the Arab and Islamic countries and on Islamic and global organizations to follow Iraq's lead and to fulfill their obligations with regard to desecrations of the Quran.[6]
On July 23, 2023, Abu Alaa Al-Walai, the leader of the Iran-backed Sayyid Al-Shuhada Brigades tweeted that defending the Quran constitutes the defense of truth in the face of falsehood, and of humanity in the face of arrogance. He wrote that the West knows that the Quran is a barrier that prevents the spread of perversion and immorality, and that this is the reason it aims to harm the Quran, and he warned that the West will continue its attempts to harm the Quran and Islam. Al-Walai said that the Muslims must prepare for a long war in which the Quran and its supporter will surely prevail. He also shared a short video of a July 22, 2023 protest which he attended, against the Quran-burning in Sweden.[7]
On July 23, 2023, Iraqi Hizbullah Brigades militia leader Abu Hussein Al-Hamidawi published a statement in response to the Quran-burning incidents in Sweden which says that it is a religious obligation to implement Allah's punishments against those who insult the Quran, as well as to punish the security agency that "managed the activity against our holy book." Al-Hamidawi warned the Swedish government that if such an incident recurred, it would be treated "as a government that is fighting against Allah, his messengers, and the believers."[8]
[1] See MEMRI JTTM Report: Iran-Backed Militias In Iraq Incite Against Sweden, U.S. Over Quran Burning In Stockholm, Call On Iranian Leader To Issue Death Fatwa Against Demonstrator, July 20, 2023.
[2] See for example MEMRI JTTM Report: Jihadi Reactions To Quran Burning In Stockholm: Condemnation, Calls To Execute Perpetrator, Expel Swedish Ambassadors, Carry Out Attacks Inspired By 2015 'Charlie Hebdo' Shooting, June 29, 2023.
[3] Telegram.me, July 20, 2023.
[4] Telegram.me, July 20, 2023.
[5] Telegram.me, July 20, 2023.
[6] Telegram.me, July 22, 2023.
[7] Twitter.com, July 23, 2023.
[8] Telegram.me, July 23, 2023.
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