Iraqi TikTok star Umm Fahad shot dead in Baghdad
In a tragic incident, Iraqi social media star Ghufran Sawadi, popularly known as Umm Fahad, was shot dead in front of her home in Baghdad on Friday night. The attack, which took place in the Zayouna area of the capital city, was captured on a surveillance camera and shared widely on social media.
The video footage shows a gunman riding a motorcycle approaching Sawadi and shooting her, causing immediate death. Authorities have confirmed the authenticity of the video and are investigating the circumstances of the murder.
Sawadi rose to fame on TikTok by sharing videos of herself dancing to pop music in revealing clothing. However, her content drew criticism from Iraqi authorities, leading to a six-month prison sentence for violating public decency and morality.
Sadly, Sawadi is not the first social media personality to be targeted in Iraq. Noor Alsaffar, another popular TikTok influencer, was also shot dead in Baghdad last September. Alsaffar had a significant following on Instagram and TikTok, where she shared fashion and beauty videos.
The murders of these social media stars have sparked a debate on the safety of influencers in Iraq and the continued repression of LGBTQ expression in the country. Many have condemned the attacks, while others have expressed support for the perpetrators.
The Iraqi Interior Minister has announced the formation of a task force to investigate Sawadi’s murder and ensure accountability for the perpetrators. The tragic deaths of Umm Fahad and Noor Alsaffar serve as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by social media personalities in Iraq.
– By Aqeel Najim, Nechirvan Mando, and Duarte Mendonca.