Authorities in Djibouti have arrested a woman after a video showing her tearing up a copy of the Quran went viral, sparking widespread outrage in the Muslim-majority nation, police confirmed Monday.
The video, which circulated on social media platforms including Facebook and TikTok, triggered swift backlash, with calls for action against the suspect. Following an investigation, police arrested her at a residence in Gabood, a district in Djibouti City.
Police said they acted on directives from senior officials and the public prosecutor’s office.
“Our investigation led to the arrest of a foreign woman who recorded herself desecrating the Quran and posted it online,” said Ibrahim Shamsaan Ali, head of police services at Djibouti City’s Second District Police Station. “She was located and taken into custody at a residence in Gabood.”
Authorities recovered her mobile phone, which contained evidence of the act, including the torn pages of the Quran.
A second woman was also detained for allegedly encouraging the act.
“A woman closely associated with the suspect influenced her to convert to another religion by making promises and inciting her to commit the act,” Shamsaan added. “She admitted to her involvement when questioned by the public prosecutor.”
Officials have not disclosed the names or nationalities of the two women.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation, with prominent figures calling for the suspect’s expulsion from the country.
“Our nation must deport those who do not respect our values and religion,” said Alexis Mohamed Geeldoon, a senior advisor to President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh. “Foreigners cannot be allowed to provoke us by desecrating the Quran in a Muslim country.”
Geeldoon emphasized that while Djibouti upholds religious freedom, it does not tolerate acts of provocation and desecration.
Djibouti, home to approximately one million people, has not previously encountered such an incident. The United Nations estimates that 94% of its population is Muslim.
The country is a key international trade hub and hosts foreign military bases from several nations. It also has a considerable expatriate population engaged in business, diplomatic missions, and security operations.
The arrest comes weeks after the killing of Salwan Momika in Sweden. Momika, who had drawn global controversy for repeatedly burning copies of the Quran in public protests, was found shot dead in his home ahead of a scheduled court appearance.
