Iraqi lawmaker seeks bill criminalizing insults to religious symbols

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A member of Iraq's parliament has formally requested the drafting of legislation that would criminalize insults to religious symbols, saying judicial authorities must act to prevent incidents deemed offensive to the wives of the Prophet Muhammad. Lawmaker Raad al-Dahleki of the Azm Coalition said at a press conference at the parliament building in Baghdad that the proposal targets insults rejected by society and is not directed at any single sect, but concerns all Muslims. Separately on the same day, the Sunni Endowments Diwan filed a criminal complaint with the Baghdad Karkh Third Investigative Court against an individual known publicly as "Faqid al-Musawi," over video content alleged to contain insults directed at the wives of the Prophet Muhammad and his companions. According to the diwan, the footage circulated online as though new and was linked to an event dated June 15, 2025. Al-Musawi said the videos he shared were old and that the matter had already been considered by a court. No further details on the status of the proposed legislation or the complaint were immediately available.