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Protesters set Swedish embassy in Iraq on fire over Quran burning

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Hundreds of protesters have stormed the Swedish embassy in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad over a reported plan to burn another Quran, the Muslim holy book, in Stockholm, Sweden’s capital.

The protesters scaled the building’s walls early Thursday morning and set it on fire while chanting “Yes, yes to the Quaran,” videos showed.

The protests come weeks after Salwan Momika, a 37-year-old Iraqi who fled to Sweden several years ago, tore up and set pages of the Islamic holy book on fire as Muslims celebrated the Eid al-Adha holiday in June.

Momika’s actions drew widespread condemnations from many countries, with Muqtada Sadr, an influential Shi’ite cleric in Iraq, calling for protests against Sweden and the expulsion of the Swedish ambassador.

Two major protests took place outside the Swedish embassy in Baghdad in the aftermath of that Quran burning, with protesters breaching the embassy grounds on one occasion.

On Wednesday, the Swedish police granted an application for a “public meeting” to two people outside the Iraqi embassy in Stockholm on Thursday.

Although the police did not disclose what the protesters were planning, Swedish media reported that both persons, including Momika, planned to burn the Quran and the Iraqi flag at the public meeting.

Reacting to the latest protest, the Swedish foreign ministry said all Baghdad embassy staff were safe, and condemned the attack.

Iraq’s foreign ministry also frowned on the Swedish embassy attack, promising to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Religion

Ghana church honours 20 girls for preserving virginity

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The Wenchi West District of the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church in the Bono Region of Ghana has recognised 20 girls, aged 13 to 16, for preserving their virginity.

During a thanksgiving service held over the weekend on the sidelines of the church’s observation of the first Sabbath of the year, the girls were each rewarded with undisclosed sums of money for their dedication and moral discipline.

The District Coordinator of the Young Adventist Women Ministries, Mrs. Nana Amponsah Poku, praised the girls for their commitment and encouraged them to continue preserving their purity until marriage.

“God created you uniquely beautiful and you must not allow anybody to lure and break your virginity until you marry,” she advised, adding a caution about choosing friends wisely in 2025.

Mrs. Poku emphasised the ministry’s commitment to shaping young women into responsible adults and called for a societal return to traditional customs that promote chastity, such as the ancient Bragoro and Dipo puberty rites.

She noted that these practices were effective in controlling teenage pregnancies and fostering the holistic development of young girls.

Associate Pastor of the Wenchi West District SDA Church, Pastor Andrews Dua Bour Kyere, also lauded the girls for their example, encouraging them to remain focused on their education and personal growth.

The honoured girls expressed gratitude for the church’s support, noting that the recognition motivates them to continue upholding the values instilled in them.

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Religion

Islamic group makes U-turn, postpones Sharia court unveiling in Oyo

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An Islamic group under the aegis of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria, the Oyo State chapter has indefinitely postponed the inauguration of the Sharia court earlier scheduled to be held on January 11, 2025.

The group made this disclosure in a statement signed by the Khadimul Muslimeen of Oyo Kingdom, Imam Daud Igi Ogun, on Tuesday.

The statement read, “On behalf of the Oyo Muslim indigenes, this is to inform the general public that the inauguration ceremony of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (Oyo branch) previously scheduled for January 11th, 2025, at the Muslim Community Islamic Center, Oba Adeyemi High School Road, Mobolaje Area, Agbongangan, Oyo, has been suspended until further notice. Islam portrays peace!”

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Religion

Mixed reactions trail ‘Jesus Christ is not God’ banner displayed at Lekki central mosque

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Netizens across social media platforms have begun to condemn a banner about Jesus Christ displayed at the gate of the Lekki Central Mosque in Lagos State.

The inscription on the banner which went viral on Wednesday read, “Jesus Christ is not God. He is a Prophet and Messenger of God!”

However, reactions have trailed the message, with some arguing that the motive behind it was blasphemy.

Some others, however, maintained that the message has been affirmed by pastors many times.

A Nigerian actress, Wumi Tuase, took to her X and expressed displeasure saying, “I don’t like to get into religious conversations but I found it very weird that Lekki Central Mosque has this in front of their gate.”

A user who tweeted with the handle #Fisayo Ojabodu wrote, “You don’t see the banner is disrespectful to other people’s religion. And is propagating foolish agenda.”

One user who identified with the handle #Adesuwa noted that this action is nothing but blasphemy.

Another user who identified as #FS Yusuf tweeted, “Christianity is actually a religion of peace.

“In the last two decades, my family church has been set on fire by Muslim extremists for ridiculous reasons such as religious extremism and Buhari losing his 2011 election.

“This is the reality for hundreds of churches and also innocent individuals accused of blasphemy. If this write-up was done by a Christian organisation, we won’t be here typing. Until we learn to uphold tolerance, we can’t make progress as a pluralistic society.”

One Silva Bella on X said, “It’s not about Christianity is a religion of peace or not … Jesus is not God. I have read the Bible a lot of time and it obvious but I can’t still get why people call Jesus God. He’s the son which means God is the father.”

“Jesus is God, Jesus is your King and Jesus will pass judgment on all. For judgment will only be fair through him that has walked in your flesh and felt your pain,” GeradTheGreat opined.

“We are so peaceful, and we will remain peaceful, we don’t fight for our God, He fights for himself,” Joycccc wrote on Meta.

Another user on X, Expope said, “The late Deborah they set on fire has not done up to this before they all joined hands to terminate her life.”

On X, another user identified as #ChristTheLighhouse opined, “We as Christians accept criticism, backlash, rejection, and even insults. Our Lord and saviour whom we believe and serve received more up to the point of death! He prayed for unbelievers and his persecutors and killers.

“The gospel of repentance and conversation into Christianity and acceptance of Jesus as ones personal Lord and Saviour is never by force, war, coercion or propaganda…it’s by the gentle acts of the Holy Spirit of God.That is the game changer. It’s a personal experience. Ask Saul (later Paul) of Tarsus!”

On the contrary, one Muhammad Shaikhan said, “The beauty of this drama between Christians and Muslims is that everyone of us knows that God is one. God is always a God. We can’t substitute God with anybody. The argument is all about the teaching of Jesus and that of Prophet Muhammad, Peace be upon them. So I don’t vex.”

Abdul’fattah Muhdl’awwal said, “Jesus himself never said he is God.

“You and the likes are the ones calling him God. Hence the quote in that banner is the fact and not blasphemous.”

One Olawale on Meta said, “The message on the banner is true.”

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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