Lego accused of being disrespectful to Islam

Toy manufacturer, Lego, has come under fire by Islamists in Turkey for disrespecting the faith via a portion of their Star Wars collection. Specifically, the palace of Jabba the Hut, which they say resembles the Hagia Sophia temple in Istanbul, pictured below.

The toy, pictured at the top of this article, comes complete with missile launchers and other weapons, as well as mock surveillance equipment. Turkish Muslims state that the toy is 'racist,' and an offense to Islam, although they have not yet commented on their belief that Islam is a 'race.'

Another report filed by The Telegraph revealed that an unidentified man filed a complaint with the group after purchasing the toy for his sister. A statement released by the Turkish Cultural Community of Austria released on 23 January, said,

"The terrorist Jabba the Hutt likes to smoke a hookah and have his victims killed. 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."

Lego replied,

"The LEGO designers try to reproduce all buildings, space ships and characters from the movies as close as possible.

"The LEGO Group regrets that the product has caused the members of the Turkish cultural community to interpret it wrongly, but point out that the design of the product only refers to the fictional content of the 'Star Wars' saga."

So far, no reply from the Turkish Cultural Community of Austria has been received as to Lego's reply.

For more information, commentary and relevant links, please visit The Telegraph for the rest of the story.

Al Stefanelli

Al is a retired author, writer and journalist. His books include "Free Thoughts - A Collection Of Essays By An American Atheist" and "A Voice Of Reason In An Unreasonable World - The Rise Of Atheism On Planet Earth." Al began writing in 1985, starting with the New York Times. In 1993 he joined a McClatchy newspaper, writing a weekly column for ten years. His writing continues to be widely distributed on the Internet and in print. He also produced and hosted a weekly syndicated radio broadcast from 1995 to 1998, and his work won a North Carolina Journalism award in 1998. Al is the former Georgia State Director for American Atheists, Inc., and served on the Board of Directors for "The Clergy Project." He is also a former Southern Baptist Pastor, having served two churches and as pulpit supply for three counties. Currently, he writes part time for The God Discussion, co-hosts the Internet radio programs, "The God Discussion Show" and "Reap Sow Radio." Al lives in the Atlanta suburb of Peachtree City, GA.

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