Several thousand Iraqis gathered in Baghdad on Saturday to protest against the burning and damaging of the Koran during recent anti-Islam demonstrations in Sweden and Denmark. The demonstration was organized by ruling Iraqi parties and armed groups, many of which have close ties to Iran. Iran’s supreme leader expressed his support for severe punishment for those who desecrated the Koran, and criticized Sweden for defending the perpetrators, stating that it was preparing for a “war” against Muslims. Muslim nations around the world have voiced their protest against the insults to the Koran, although both Sweden and Denmark have legal protections for freedom of speech, including the burning of books. The protesters in Baghdad faced strict security measures, with access to the Green Zone, where foreign embassies are located, being restricted. Attempts by demonstrators to reach the Danish Embassy were repelled by tear gas fired by Iraqi security forces. The Swedish Embassy in Baghdad was recently attacked and set on fire in response to the planned burning of the Koran in Stockholm. Iraq condemned the attack on the Swedish Embassy and expelled the Swedish ambassador, while also expressing their disapproval of the planned Koran burning. In Denmark, a man burnt a book claimed to be the Koran in front of the Iraqi Embassy, which was livestreamed on Facebook. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen condemned the act and emphasized the importance of respecting other religions. Iran called for both Denmark and Sweden to take action against the desecration, and announced that it would not accept a new Swedish envoy in response to the attacks on the Koran. The Iraqi presidency issued a statement calling on international organizations and Western governments to prevent incitement and hate practices, and warned Iraqis against being manipulated into a divisive agenda. The protests in Baghdad have mainly been led by supporters of influential cleric Moqtada Sadr, who opposes the Iran-backed groups in the government. However, the demonstration on Saturday evening was the first major action organized by Iran-backed parties and armed groups that support the government. The protesters were seen carrying flags of a designated terrorist organization and images of the former commander of Iran’s Quds Force, who was killed by the United States in 2020.
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