STOCKHOLM – After organizing multiple protests in Sweden to desecrate the Holy Quran, Iraqi immigrant Salwan Momika has not had his residence permit renewed and will be deported, with a five-year ban on returning to Sweden, according to Swedish media outlets.
Momika, who had been granted a fixed-term residence permit from October 25, 2023, to April 16, 2024, will face deportation due to obstacles in implementing immediate removal, as stated by the Swedish immigration department.
The 37-year-old’s actions, which included burning and desecrating copies of the Holy Quran in various locations in Sweden, sparked widespread anger among many countries and Islamic organizations. The first of these demonstrations occurred on June 28 outside Stockholm’s central mosque, where Momika tore up and burned several pages of the Holy Book.
In response to his actions, Iraq requested the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to arrest Momika in Sweden and extradite him to Baghdad.
On July 26, the United Nations adopted a consensus resolution, initiated by Morocco, condemning all acts of violence against holy books, as these acts are in violation of international law.
