On February 3, 2025, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) publicly celebrated the assassination of Salwan Momika, the Iraqi refugee in Sweden known for publicly burning the Quran. Monika was assassinated in his apartment in Södertälje, Sweden, on January 29. In a statement issued by AQAP’s media wing, Al-Malahem, the group declared his killing as divine punishment and called for continued attacks on those who insult Islam.
The four-page statement, titled “A Statement Regarding the Death of the Aggressor against the Holy Quran in Sweden,” frames Momika as an “impure atheist” protected by a “hostile” Swedish government. AQAP alleges that Momika repeatedly “fought” Allah by desecrating the Quran and had planned further burnings during the upcoming Eid Al-Fitr holiday. The terror group claims that his murder was retribution from Allah, warning that others who insult Islam will meet similar fates.
Call for Global Jihad Against Critics of Islam
AQAP’s statement goes beyond celebrating Momika’s death—it explicitly calls for Muslims worldwide to “continue the battle of the Quran” through violent retaliation against those who defame Islam. Citing Osama bin Laden’s past threats regarding depictions of Muhammad, the statement argues that Islamic teachings are uniquely singled out for criticism under the pretext of “freedom of expression” while Western beliefs remain protected. The group claims that Western nations enable these “heinous crimes” due to the complicity of Muslim leaders who have allegedly betrayed Islam in favor of submission to Western influence.
Declaring the Quran’s ultimate victory over its “satanic enemies,” AQAP warns that its fighters—mujahideen—will persist until “the day of resurrection.” The statement closes with a stark ultimatum: critics of Islam must choose between “repentance and guidance” or the “path of unbelief and destruction.”
Growing Threat of Jihadist Target Lists
AQAP’s celebration of Momika’s murder coincides with jihadist circles identifying new targets. Following his assassination, ISIS supporters also circulated names of anti-Islam figures in Turkey, India, and the UK as potential targets. This signals an alarming trend in which high-profile critics of Islam, particularly those in Europe and the West, may face heightened security threats from jihadist organizations. […]
— Read More: rairfoundation.com
