Who was Salwan Momika? Salwan Momika was an Iraqi refugee whose actions ignited global controversy. Born in Qaraqosh, Iraq, he initially fought against ISIS with the Popular Mobilization Forces. After fleeing to Europe, he settled in Sweden, where he became infamous for burning the Quran during public demonstrations. These acts, live-streamed on TikTok, sparked international outrage and diplomatic crises. Despite legal issues and public disapproval, he continued his provocative protests under police protection. His life ended abruptly in 2025 when he was shot during a livestream. Momika's story is a complex blend of activism, controversy, and the struggle for free speech.
Early Life and Background
Salwan Momika's life began in a small town in Iraq and took many unexpected turns. Let's explore his early years and background.
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Name and Background: Salwan Sabah Matti Momika was born on June 23, 1986, in Qaraqosh, a town in the Al-Hamdaniya district of northern Iraq’s Nineveh province. He was an ethnic Assyrian and raised as a Syriac Catholic.
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Early Life and Education: Little is known about Momika's early education, but his life took a dramatic turn during the Iraqi civil war. He joined the Assyrian Patriotic Party and worked as a security guard for the party's headquarters in Mosul.
Military Involvement and Persecution
Momika's involvement in the military and the persecution he faced shaped much of his early adult life.
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Civil War and Persecution: During the 2006-2008 civil war, Christians in Iraq faced severe persecution by the Islamic State of Iraq (the precursor to ISIS). Momika joined the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) to fight against ISIS after they captured Mosul in June 2014.
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Military Involvement: Momika appeared in videos wearing military attire as a member of the Christian unit "Spirit of God Jesus Son of Mary Battalion" (Kataib Rouh Allah Issa Ibn Miriam), part of the PMF. He pledged allegiance to the Imam Ali Brigades, which are a PMF faction with close connections to Iran and accused of committing war crimes and engaging in sectarian violence.
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Internal Power Struggle: In 2017, Momika was involved in an internal power struggle with fellow Babylon Movement leader Rayan al-Kildani, which he lost. He fled the country as a result.
Transition to Atheism and Immigration
Momika's life took another turn when he renounced his faith and sought refuge in Europe.
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Atheism and Apostasy: In 2017, Momika fled to Germany with a Schengen visa, where he publicly renounced Christianity and declared his atheism. This marked a significant shift in his life, as he transitioned from a religious background to an atheist activist.
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Immigration to Sweden: In April 2018, Momika applied for a refugee visa to Sweden and was registered as an Iraqi refugee. He was granted a three-year temporary residence permit in April 2021, valid until April 2024.
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Asylum Application Discrepancies: Despite being granted a temporary residence permit, Momika’s application for permanent residence was denied due to discrepancies in his asylum application. Specifically, he lied about his involvement with the Imam Ali Brigades, claiming he was associated with the political branch rather than the paramilitary branch.
Legal Issues and Political Ambitions
Momika's time in Sweden was marked by legal troubles and political aspirations.
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Legal Issues in Sweden: Momika faced legal issues in Sweden, including charges of inciting racial hatred due to his comments about the Quran burnings. He was also convicted for unlawful threats after threatening a man with whom he shared accommodation with a knife.
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Political Involvement: While in Sweden, Momika met with Christian Democrat MP Robert Halef and Sweden Democrats’ Julia Kronlid. He expressed interest in running for the Riksdag as a candidate for the Sweden Democrats, further indicating his political ambitions.
Quran Burnings and International Outrage
Momika's most controversial actions involved the desecration of the Quran, which led to widespread outrage.
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Quran Burnings: In 2023, Momika organized a series of demonstrations against Islam, during which he desecrated and burned copies of the Quran. These actions were carried out under police protection and legal permission, sparking widespread outrage and diplomatic crises.
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Live Streaming on TikTok: Momika live-streamed his Quran burnings on TikTok, often accompanied by verbal insults towards Islam. This generated significant income through donations, with reports suggesting he could earn up to 3,000 Swedish kroner (approximately €250 or $270) per live stream.
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TikTok Controversy: The live streams on TikTok generated controversy, with the platform eventually blocking Momika from profiting from his content. Despite this, he continued to attract a large following and financial support for his provocative actions.
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International Outrage: Momika’s actions incited global outrage, particularly in Muslim-majority countries. Protests and diplomatic crises ensued, with incidents such as the storming of the Swedish embassy in Baghdad and the expulsion of the Swedish ambassador.
Swedish Government and Public Response
The Swedish government and public had mixed reactions to Momika's actions.
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Swedish Government Response: The Swedish government defended Momika’s right to burn the Quran under the country’s free speech protections but pledged to review laws governing such protests. This stance was met with criticism from both domestic and international audiences.
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Public Opinion in Sweden: A poll by Swedish public broadcaster SVT indicated that 53% of Swedes were against holy book burnings, including the Quran and the Bible. Only 13% were unsure, highlighting the broad public disapproval of Momika’s actions.
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Security Concerns: Swedish security services acknowledged that the country’s security situation had deteriorated due to ongoing Quran burnings. Despite this, Momika was able to continue his protests under police protection.
Expulsion and Legal Proceedings
Momika faced expulsion from Sweden and ongoing legal battles.
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Expulsion from Sweden: The Swedish Migration Agency decided to expel Momika from the country in 2023. However, due to threats against him in Iraq, the expulsion was not carried out, and he was granted a new temporary residence permit until April 2024.
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Deportation Attempt from Norway: In March 2024, Momika attempted to seek asylum in Norway but was arrested and planned to be deported back to Sweden based on the Dublin Regulation. He was transported back to Sweden on April 11, 2024.
Final Days and Death
Momika's life ended abruptly in a violent incident, but his actions left a lasting impact.
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Final Days and Death: On January 29, 2025, Salwan Momika was shot dead at his home in Södertälje during a TikTok livestream. Five arrests have been made in connection with the shooting, and his verdict in the Quran-burning case was postponed until February 3, 2025.
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Legal Proceedings Posthumously: The postponement of his verdict was a result of his death, highlighting the ongoing legal proceedings and the impact of his actions on Swedish society. The case against him would continue without him, reflecting the complex and contentious nature of his legacy.
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Media Coverage and Public Reaction: Momika’s death was widely covered by international media, with outlets highlighting both the provocative nature of his actions and the global outrage they sparked. Public reaction ranged from condemnation to support, reflecting the deeply polarizing impact of his activities.
Social Media and Financial Motivations
Momika's use of social media and the financial aspects of his actions added another layer of complexity to his story.
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Social Media Impact: Momika’s use of social media platforms like TikTok to live-stream his Quran burnings and verbal insults towards Islam drew significant attention and financial support. However, this also led to him being blocked from profiting from his content on TikTok.
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Financial Motivations: The financial aspect of his actions was a subject of controversy. Momika claimed he did not care about the money but acknowledged that donations could total up to €250 (approximately $270) per live stream. This raised questions about the motivations behind his provocative acts.
Psychological and Historical Context
Understanding the psychological and historical context of Momika's actions provides deeper insight into his life.
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Psychological Impact: The psychological impact of Momika’s actions on both the individuals involved and the broader community cannot be overstated. His desecrations of the Quran caused immense pain and distress to many Muslims worldwide, while also sparking intense debate about free speech and cultural sensitivity.
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Historical Context: Understanding the historical context of Momika’s actions is crucial. The persecution of Christians by ISIS and the subsequent involvement in the PMF provided a backdrop for his activism. However, his transition from a religious to an atheist activist added complexity to his narrative.
Legal Framework and International Relations
Momika's actions also highlighted the complexities of legal frameworks and international relations.
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Legal Framework in Sweden: The legal framework in Sweden regarding free speech and hate speech is complex. While Momika’s actions were protected under freedom of expression laws, they also led to charges of inciting racial hatred. This highlights the ongoing debate about balancing individual rights with societal norms.
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International Relations: The diplomatic crises sparked by Momika’s actions had significant implications for international relations. The storming of the Swedish embassy in Baghdad and the expulsion of the ambassador were just two examples of how his actions affected diplomatic ties between Sweden and several Middle Eastern countries.
Community Reactions and Legacy
The reactions from various communities and the legacy Momika left behind are multifaceted and contentious.
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Community Reactions: The reactions from various communities were diverse and often contentious. While some supported his right to free speech, others condemned his actions as deeply offensive and disrespectful. This dichotomy reflects the deeply divided nature of public opinion on such issues.
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Legacy and Impact: The legacy of Salwan Momika is multifaceted and contentious. His actions sparked both outrage and debate, highlighting the complexities of free speech, cultural sensitivity, and the role of social media in amplifying provocative content. His death has brought an end to his provocative activities but continues to influence discussions about these issues.
The Complex Legacy of Salwan Momika
Salwan Momika's life was a whirlwind of controversy and complexity. From his early days in Iraq to his provocative actions in Sweden, he left a mark that sparked global debates. His Quran burnings ignited international outrage, leading to diplomatic crises and intense public scrutiny. Despite facing legal issues and threats, he continued his controversial protests, live-streaming them on TikTok for financial gain. His death in 2025 brought an end to his provocative acts but left a lasting impact on discussions about free speech, cultural sensitivity, and the role of social media. Momika's story serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between individual rights and societal norms. His actions, while deeply divisive, highlighted the complexities of modern society and the ongoing struggle to navigate the boundaries of expression and respect.
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