Gravesite video shared widely in community
Suspect arrested in Shaqlawa Christian grave desecration case
SHAQLAWA — A video that recently emerged on social media, depicting a young man allegedly desecrating several graves in a Christian cemetery in the Shaqlawa district, has sparked outrage and led to the arrest of a suspect.
The video’s circulation among Christian community members prompted swift action by local authorities.
Karwan Karim Khan, Shaqlawa’s district qaymaqam, told 964media that the incident took place within the district’s limits. Yesterday, security forces in Erbil arrested the young man, a resident of Daratu, near Erbil.
“The video showed disrespect toward Christian graves, affecting not only the Christian community but also the city of Shaqlawa itself. We’ve seen similar disrespect toward graves of Islamic scholars and sheikhs before,” Khan said.
Khan expressed hope that Shaqlawa’s Christian community and its progressive youth would handle such incidents wisely, preventing any escalation of tension. “We must not allow these isolated acts to become a pattern of animosity,” he stated.
Erbil security forces plan to officially announce the arrest soon, detailing actions taken to resolve the situation.
Historically, Christians and Muslims in Shaqlawa have lived together in peace, with few conflicts. Both communities engage in each other’s religious events, showcasing a strong, positive bond. This event marks a rare disturbance to the long-standing peace between the two religions in the region.