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Killing of Noor Alsaffar

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Killing of Noor Alsaffar
DateSeptember 2023
LocationMansour district, Baghdad, Iraq
MotiveSuspected LGBTQ+ hate crime
Deaths1

In September 2023, Iraqi social media personality Noor Alsaffar, known as Noor BM, (b. 2000),[1] was shot three times by a gunman in the Mansour district of Baghdad, killing him.[2][3][4][5]

As of April 2024, no one had been charged for the murder and the crime is "under investigation".[6]

Background

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In 2020, during an interview with the Alwalaa channel, Alsaffar described himself as a cross-dresser, stating that: "I’m not transgender and I’m not gay. I don’t have other tendencies, I’m only a cross-dresser and a model." This led to online abuse.[7] At the time of his murder in 2023, Alsaffar had over 370,000 followers on TikTok and Instagram, which were mostly used to post beauty and Get Ready With Me content.[8]

Killing

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Alsaffar's killing took place during the day, and was recorded on neighbouring CCTV.[9]

Reactions

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IraQueer, an Iraqi LGBTQ+ rights group, condemned the killing of "the queer Iraqi vlogger Nour BM".[7] Remembering Our Dead, a website supporting Trans Day of Remembrance, described Alsaffar as "gender-nonconforming", but stated that how Alsaffar viewed their gender at the time of their death is not known.[10]

The shooting is one of several targeted attacks on social media personalities in Iraq, some of whom were identified as members of LGBTQ+ communities.[11] It is part of a wider increase in homophobia and transphobia in Iraq, which includes the burning of the rainbow flag,[8] a ban on media organisations in using the term 'homosexuality' - stipulating that 'sexual deviance' should be used instead,[12] the criminalisation of same-sex relationships,[13] and the deliberate digital targeting of LGBTQ+ people.[14][15]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Iraq: transgender influencer "Noor BM" murdered in Baghdad, investigation opened". Agenzia Nova. 25 September 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  2. ^ "Infamous blogger "Noor BM" assassinated in Baghdad". Shafaq News. Archived from the original on 29 April 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  3. ^ "Iraqi social media influencer Um Fahad shot dead by motorbike gunman in Baghdad". CBS News. 27 April 2024. Archived from the original on 27 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  4. ^ "Iraqi Authorities Investigate Killing of TikTok Star". Time Magazine. 27 April 2024. Archived from the original on 27 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  5. ^ "Popular Iraqi female TikTok star shot dead in Baghdad night attack". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 27 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  6. ^ James, Alastair (28 September 2023). "Death of Iraqi TikTok star under investigation, police confirm". Attitude. Archived from the original on 29 April 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  7. ^ a b Morey, Alice (29 September 2023). "Popular Iraqi TikToker allegedly shot dead in Baghdad". Gay Times. Archived from the original on 28 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  8. ^ a b Ebrahim, Nadeen; Mando, Nechirvan (27 September 2023). "Prominent Iraqi TikToker fatally shot in Baghdad amid crackdown on LGBTQ community". CNN. Archived from the original on 28 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  9. ^ Iraq, Dana Taib Menmy ــ (6 October 2023). "Mystery lingers over murder of Iraqi blogger in Baghdad". New Arab. Archived from the original on 28 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  10. ^ "Remembering Our Dead - Noor Alsaffar ("Noor BM") (25 Sep 2023)". Remembering Our Dead. Archived from the original on 29 April 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  11. ^ Fox, Tessa. "LGBTQ people in Iraq face violence by police, armed groups". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 28 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  12. ^ "Iraq bans media from using term 'homosexuality,' says they must use 'sexual deviance'". CNN. 9 August 2023. Archived from the original on 27 September 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  13. ^ "Iraq criminalises same-sex relationships with maximum 15 years in prison". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 28 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  14. ^ Younes, Rasha (21 February 2023). ""All This Terror Because of a Photo"". Human Rights Watch. Archived from the original on 22 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  15. ^ "Middle East, North Africa: Digital Targeting of LGBT People | Human Rights Watch". 21 February 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
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