EU mission's raising of rainbow flag sparks outcry in Iraq

Iraq on Sunday condemned the raising of the rainbow flag by the European Union mission in Baghdad and said it "provokes" religious feelings in the Muslim-majority country.

"This infringes lofty ethical values respected by all heavenly religions," the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said, according to the state news agency INA. 

"Besides, it contradicts the values, ethics and social norms of our dear country, and provokes religious feelings," the ministry added. 

Earlier Sunday, Iraqi media reported that the EU mission in Baghdad together with the Canadian and British embassies, raised the rainbow flag to mark the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia and highlight the rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people.

The raising of the rainbow flag – an international symbol of the LGBT community – also drew condemnation from Iraq's influential Shia Muslim cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. He called the act a "blatant aggression on Iraq's laws and religions" and demanded the Iraqi government to take a "firm" response.

Meanwhile, the deputy speaker of the Iraqi parliament, Bashir al-Hadad, denounced the act, describing it as "unacceptable", according to the INA. So far, there has been no official comment from the EU mission in Iraq.    (dpa)