60 percent of Iraqis believe that the Swedish state takes children from Muslim parents to fight Islam, while two percent of Swedes believe so. An almost unlikely impact of the influence action that targeted Sweden for many years. For reference, mostly for our foreign audience, the same question was asked in Sweden. In Sweden it is a non-issue, most Swedes have hardly heard of this. Certainly, no Swede has seen the enormous scale of this myth in Iraq. It likely extends beyond Iraq and has gained traction in the broader Muslim world.

Social media is often used as a measure of the spread of information in countries, but that method is insecure for population estimation of reach. But it is for free and therefore the data is being analyzed around the world.

Social media plays a role in modern media dynamics, with tweets often regarded as competing publications and picked up by traditional news outlets. The traditional news create trust and real spread. The only way to measure this is by statistical research with methods being used by Novus and IIACSS. In Iraq and many other Muslim cultures, infomration sharings is often based on trust, primarly occuring through person to person interactions and following a hierarchiacal structure. So, there is another dimension that is not as prevalent in the Western world.

77 percent of Iraqis believe that the Swedish state is against Islam, while five percent of Swedes believe so.

94 percent of Iraqis say they are religious, while only 17 percent of Swedes say they are. Although more Swedes belong to Christianity, it is more because of traditions and Swedens history with the church, than driven by faith. In Iraq, faith is central, as can be seen in this survey. Although the survey also shows that the cultural connection to Islam is more important in Iraq than the religious beliefs. The statistical analyses we have done point more to cultural connections and the perceived threat to this, than that it is religion. There is no statistically significant link between religious belief and the threat. However, one between culture and threat. Although the ties between culture and religion are much stronger in Iraq than Sweden. In Sweden, the Christian culture is very strong, but religion is more traditions that create community and build society than a belief in God.

The question of whether you are Sunni or Shia can be perceived as sensitive in Iraq when it comes to surveys about religious affiliation. Therefore, the question is also a little extra soft. Half of the respondents do not want to answer whether they are Shia or Sunni, saying only that they are Muslim, but one in three Iraqis say they are Shia, and one in five say they are Sunni. But no one claims to be anything other than a Muslim in Iraq. Offical numbers of numbers of christians in Iraq is 0,8%, so that is in line with the IIACSS reseach.

68 percent consider themselves Christians, while 29 percent do not consider themselves to belong to any religion. One percent say they are Muslim. The survey may show a slight undercoverage among Swedish citizens. But only a small one. The proportion belonging to Muslim religious communities in Sweden is just under 300,000 people, which corresponds to about three percent of the population. However, there is no official data available regarding the exact number of Swedish citizens or individuals with permanent residence permits who are Muslims. Novus investigations are normally conducted against Swedish citizens and persons with permanent residence permits. There is no requirement for citizenship or a permanent residence permit to be included in the 300,000 figure. However, this estimate has some uncertainties. Sweden has approximately 900,000 inhabitants who do not hold Swedish citizenship.

76 percent of Iraqis see the burning of the Koran in Sweden as a real threat to what it means to be Iraqi. The Iraqi’s connection to Muslim culture is extremely strong, if the Iraqis need to choose between state and religion, they choose religion. 77 percent of Iraqis believe that the burnings in Sweden are a real threat to the Iraqis’ traditions and values. 79 percent believe it is a real threat to their personal values as Iraqis.

Something happening in Sweden being seen as a real threat to the Iraqi’s life in Iraq should not be underestimated. Herein lies the explanation for the increased terrorist threat and why the Swedish embassy was stormed. What is happening in Sweden has become a symbol of the West’s struggle against Muslim culture.

The fact that every second Swede sees the burning of the Koran as an actual threat to what it means to be Swedish, is a direct effect of this as well. The terrorist threat affects Swedish security. But also the clash between freedom of expression and everyone’s equal value. Which is the foundation of Swedish society. The fact that foreign laws from religiously governed states should affect Swedish fundamental rights and freedoms immediately becomes problematic. Although the support in Sweden for banning Koran burnings is great. The Swede does not want to provoke other countries, and Novus’ surveys have shown time and time again that Fthe Swedish people really do not think that anyone should abuse our laws to actively provoke and risk Swedish security. The Swede wants neither a religious nor a cultural war. Support for provoking Islam is so low that four out of ten Swedes do not mind the Koran burner being expelled, even if it means that he is sentenced to death. The Swedish people are not normally in favour of the death penalty. But the way the Koran burning have put Sweden in this context is highly disliked by most swedes.

71 percent of the Swedish people consider the Koran burner to be a personal threat. Compare that to 40 percent who believe it is a threat to burn the Torah or the Bible.

76 percent of Iraqis believe it is a threat to the maintenance of law and order in Iraq. Which once again confirms the image of Sweden actively threatening the way of life in Iraq. In this context, a cultural clash emerges between Muslim traditions and Western values, with a particular focus on American actions. But where Sweden seems to be increasingly becoming the focus in this fight between the Western based on Christian values and Islam.

72 percent of Swedes believe that the burning of the Koran in Sweden is a threat to the maintenance of law and order in Sweden. Which the riots in Sweden are a direct acknowledgement of.

History is once again reminded and the burning of the Koran falls into the context that has been relevant for a very long time. Even before the US entered Iraq, although it constantly creates tensions in the country. IIACSS polls show that the new “Saddam” would now be welcomed by a majority of the Iraqi people. Although it accepts and supports that the US is still there to maintain security.

This survey really shows that the tensions and the risk of terrorist threats in Sweden are real. The breeding ground for it is enormous.