Muslims claim Lego toy is racist

[Drache]

Muslims claim Jabba's Palace Lego toy is racist as it is 'based on iconic mosque in Istanbul'

Lego has been accused of racism by the Turkish community over a Star Wars toy allegedly depicting  a mosque.

The critics claim that the Jabba's Palace model, part of Lego's Star Wars range, offends Muslims as it resembles the Hagia Sophia mosque in Istanbul - one of the world's most renowned mosques.

Members of the Turkish Cultural Community of Austria group also accused the toy manufacturer of depicting Asians as having 'deceitful and criminal personalities'.


Toy: The Jabba's Palace Lego set has been criticised by the Turkish Cultural Community of Austria group, which has described it as offensive to the Muslim community



Criticism: The group has criticised Lego's design saying it resembles the Hagia Sophia mosque in Istanbul, one of the world's most recognisable mosques


The group has released a statement calling for an apology from Lego for its cultural insensitivity.

The Lego set is based on the home of Jabba the Hutt, a central character in the Star Wars series, who lives in a domed palace, with a separated watchtower.

As well as bearing a likeness to the Hagia Sophia mosque, the Turkish group also claimed the toy takes its design from the Jami al-Kabir mosque in Beirut - while the watchtower is said to resemble a minaret.

A post on the community's website contains a picture of the slug-like creature's Lego home, pointing out similarities with the Istanbul mosque.

Outraged Muslims have criticised the toy producer on the community's website, accusing it of deliberately placing contextual errors in the toy.

The case came to light when a Turkish man expressed his dissatisfaction with the toy after it was purchased for his son by a family member.

After investigating, Dr Melissa Günes, General Secretary of the Turkish Cultural Community, said that Lego had been contacted with an official complaint.


Comparisons: A post appeared on the group's website pointing out features of the Lego set and comparing them to the Istanbul mosque


A statement posted on the organisation's website refers to Jabba the Hutt as a 'terrorist' and says that he 'likes to smoke hookah and have his victims killed'.

It adds: 'It is clear that the ugly figure of Jabba and the whole scene smacks of racial prejudice and vulgar insinuations against Asians and Orientals as people with deceitful and criminal personalities.'

The statement says that the figures in the set are made to resemble 'terrorists, criminals and murderers'.

Referring to weapons contained in the set, the statement suggests that the 'combination of temple building and bunker facilities where shots are fired cannot be appropriate for children between 9 and 14 years old'.

It concludes: 'One would expect more empathy and responsibility from a manufacturer of toys that has produced toys and models that are good for teaching for decades.'


Jabba's Palace as depicted in the 1983 Star Wars film Return of the Jedi

The organisation also says it is planning legal action in Austria, Germany and Turkey against the toy firm if it does not get a satisfactory response.

Lego's Katharina Sasse said: 'The Lego Star Wars product Jabba´s Palace does not reflect any actually existing buildings, people, or the mentioned mosque.

'The Lego mini-figures are all modelled on characters from the movie.

'We regret that the product has caused the members of the Turkish cultural community to come to a wrong interpretation, but point out that when designing the product only the fictional content of the Star Wars saga were referred to.'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2267062/Lego-accused-racism-Turkish-community-say-toy-offensive-based-mosque.html

[Cooter]

"ugly figure of Jabba"......


Damn, now Jabba's offended too.

[Ghoste]

I know what they should do.  Everyone who is offended should kill themselves in a defiant show of self sarcifice.  This protest to the world should be done as soon as possible both to teach us a lesson and more importantly (because I am only concerned for the cultural sensitivity) before some other terrible slight against them accidentally occurs.

[Cooter]

That would work only problem is, they'd mess around and live..Now we have a bunch of Ree-Ree's on the sytem like leeches.

[Drache]

FYI the Hagia Sophia was originally built as an Orthodox Church, then became a Catholic Church, then back to Orthodox then FINALLY a Mosque, and now it's a museum....

[Ghoste]

I still think they should follow my advice.

[mrsskip68]

This is stupid!  Also, did I miss something? "How are Asians depicted as having deceitful and criminal personalities?" Confused..............but not enough to really give a shiite!!!! Lol!

[Ram07]

Why are you talking about this...someone, somewhere will find something offensive!!

Religion, politics, guns is a  ..right?

[mrsskip68]

 

[DrHemi]

Looks like a boob to me. They should stone their mosque themselves

[Ram07]

"Everyone who is offended should kill themselves in a defiant show of self sarcifice"?

Really?

[Indygenerallee]

Obviously these retards never watched "Return of the Jedi" Id say they need to kill themselves for not being avid Star Wars fans!! 

[JB400]

I was reading the article and ended up reading the Victoria's Secret article instead.  I think the Muslim community should just lighten up a little.  There are much more important things to worry about and other things to enjoy like these

[Ram07]

Time to get yourself a g/f Stroker...all replies seem to involve bikini chicks....not to mention your gifs....don't wanna see that all the time...work stuff!!
Just sayin'

[Indygenerallee]

Time to get yourself a g/f Stroker

X2 or at least a hooker!! 

[Ghoste]

"Everyone who is offended should kill themselves in a defiant show of self sarcifice"?

Really?

If they truly buy into the notion that a toy is racist and an insult to their heritage, then perhaps such an extreme reaction to such a benign coincidence calls for an extreme response to prove their point.
In other words, my sarcastic suggestion, while potentially solving two problems, is actually meant to illustrate a ridiculous accusation by offering a ludicrous response.

[JB400]

In that situation, I agree.  That particular culture needs to loosen up and not take everything so seriously.  Much like some people on here.  Some things are meant to be entertainment and too have no real serious meaning.  While I'm sure there was a lack of judgement on the toy maker's fault, there shouldn't be such an extreme sense in urgency of the Muslims to make such a big deal out of Lego's decision to make an accurate depiction of a fairy tale scene.  From a fan's standpoint, I'd want their kit to have a close resemblance to the screenwriters depiction.  If the screenwriter's depiction resembles a real area, that should be more of a compliment than an insult, no matter what characters are in the screenwriters' depiction.



On the note of my posts, get real. I've only made one other post in that nature this month in an appropriate area.  I only made that post to loosen up the thread.  It's probably close enough to getting locked anyway.  I'm sure any Muslim reading this is already pissed off at us anyway. Personally, I wouldn't mind getting to know the culture better.  Unfortunately, they have done very little to try to make a positive impression in my eye.  Maybe it's the media, but all that I'm seeing is a group of people that want to annihilate anybody that doesn't see things their way.  I'm sure I'm not getting the full story, but I'd like to see some better judgements and a better attempt at making peace instead of raising a rucus over a picture or a toy that usually ends in someone meeting an untimely end.  If there is a Muslim that wants to paint me a positive picture of thier culture and beliefs, I'd be happy to sit and listen.  Unfortunately, that entire area has been nothing but a war zone since WW2.  I'm definitely sure that there are good people over there, but information has been misconstrued by the media, the governments, and terrorist organizations.  I for one, will be happy when the mess over there gets resolved, but the way it sounds, that won't happen anytime soon.

Anybody wanting me to get rid of my sig, I'd be happy to oblige.  On the other hand, I'm due for an update.

[Indygenerallee]

Maybe it's the media, but all that I'm seeing is a group of people that want to annihilate anybody that doesn't see things their way.  I'm sure I'm not getting the full story, but I'd like to see some better judgements and a better attempt at making peace instead of raising a rucus over a picture or a toy that usually ends in someone meeting an untimely end.

No Stroker your right, they want total annihilation of anyone that is not a muslim and anyone that offends Muhammed, it is a religion of hate.

[71green go]

 

[polywideblock]

I was reading the article and ended up reading the Victoria's Secret article instead.  I think the Muslim community should just lighten up a little.  There are much more important things to worry about and other things to enjoy like these

watch out they will be offended by all that naked flesh and start calling the ladies names that can't be repeated . you should hear these clowns walking around bondi beach in there dresses calling the girls in bikinis tarts and a lot of other unrepeatable names

[Patronus]

I for one would really like an "ask a Muslim" thread. I feel the need to understand them. My current philosophy is much the same as many others: Why the violence? Where does their religion state violence against us? I'm not too stupid to learn, to live with each other, to respect someone's beliefs. The only thing they're doing with the hate is turning up my eyebrow anytime one is near and take notice...because quite honestly, I need to be ready for anything, and that's a shitty way to have to feel.

[polywideblock]

apparently the Koran says that they are supposed to respect everyone of the"book" this includes all religions the use the bible etc etc anyone  who has a holy book. 

[greenpigs]

They need to move on and focus on things that matter, not a toy.

[Ghoste]

In this case, I'm not even looking at them as Muslims really but just another flavor of extremist.  If Jabba's palace looked vaguely reminiscient of the Vatican and Jabba had a head shaped just enough like the headgear on the Pope, there would be some Catholic defamation league demanding justice.  If the palace had the look of the Boar's Nest and Jabba wore white someone would be pissed about that too.  My being offended by their offendedness could even be an example I suppose.
The bottom line is that people are morons especially when they get in groups and this particular cabal of Lego haters are illustrating that beautifully. 

[Cooter]

If the palace had the look of the Boar's Nest and Jabba wore white someone would be pissed about that too. 

Dammit, now Boss Hogg is offended....