Salwan Momika, who burnt Holy Quran, found dead in Norway

Atheist Salwan Momika, an Iraqi refugee in Sweden who burned the Holy Quran during anti-Islamic demonstrations in Stockholm last year, was found dead in Norway.

According to initial reports, police have begun an investigation into the death of the Holy Quran-burning extremist. 

Momika was known for organising anti-Islamic protests in Sweden. He sparked outrage on June 28, 2023, when he was filmed outside Stockholm's Central Mosque desecrating the Holy Quran by burning its pages, and covering them with pork, all under police watch.

Taking to ‘X’ on March 27, he stated,  'Today I left Sweden and am now in Norway under the protection of the Norwegian authorities. I applied for asylum and international protection in Norway because Sweden does not accept asylum for philosophers and thinkers, but only accepts asylum for terrorists. My love and respect for the Swedish people will remain the same, but the persecution I was subjected to by the Swedish authorities does not represent the Swedes."

“I will continue my struggle against Islamic ideology. Since I started the struggle against Islam, I have paid and continue to pay the price, and I am ready for that, whatever the cost,” he added.

Today I left Sweden and am now in Norway under the protection of the Norwegian authorities.

I applied for asylum and international protection in Norway because Sweden does not accept asylum for philosophers and thinkers, but only accepts asylum for terrorists. My love and… pic.twitter.com/tbg883NqKc

— Salwan Momika (@Salwan_Momika1) March 27, 2024

An investigation by Arab News reveals some apparent contradictions in Momika's background. He was raised in Qaraqosh, northern Iraq's Nineveh Plains, by a Christian family.

Arab media reported that he also founded the Babylon Brigades, a Christian militia that fought against ISIS in Iraq.

“His Facebook and Instagram feed was first dominated by criticism of the Iraqi government following the mass protests of 2019 up until six months ago, when he took an extremely anti-Islamic stance and consistently posted derogatory statements about the Holy Prophet Muhammad [PBUH] and the Muslim faith,” Arab News reported. 

Salwan escaped to Sweden many years ago and the Iraqi government formally requested the Swedish government to extradite him, but Sweden did not hand him over to Iraq.

Earlier, at the end of October 2023, it was reported that his permanent residence permit in Sweden had been revoked, but he will not be deported to Iraq and this decision is not related to the desecration of the Holy Quran.

Momika's actions and background have been subject to much discussion. He reportedly renounced his Christian faith, became an atheist, and later expressed strong anti-Islamic views. 

Some reports suggest he may have engaged in these provocative acts to attract attention and influence his refugee status in Sweden, which required renewal every three years.

He also disclosed his personal details, including his phone number and email address, on social media before the Holy Quran-burning protests.

Momika's residency and work permits in Sweden were set to expire on April 16, 2024, according to a spokesperson for the Migration Office, Jesper Tengroth.

He would have faced deportation if he had not renewed them. As per sources, this decision stemmed from allegations of false statements made by Momika in his permit applications.

Prior to the expiration of his Swedish residency permit, Salwan Momika travelled to Norway, where he was found dead.