◀ Anchor ▶
The construction of a mosque in a residential area in Daegu is underway, and the conflict has been ongoing for two years as neighboring residents strongly oppose it.
Today, some residents held a ceremony to eat pork, which is considered taboo in Islam.
Reporter Kim Eun-hye covered the story.
◀ Report ▶
Barbecue equipment was placed in an alley in a residential area in Buk-gu, Daegu.
When the pork inside is cooked, about 40 residents put the meat on a plate and share it.
In front of the mosque construction site, some residents who opposed the construction of the mosque held a whole pig barbecue event as a year-end party in the neighborhood.
Boiled pork heads are placed in the other lane, and pig’s feet are also hung on a string.
Previously, students from the nearby Kyungpook National University tried to put up a poster criticizing the event, but there was also a fight with residents who prevented it.
[주민]
“What are the students doing? What are the residents doing?”
[학생]
“We are also alumni of Kyungpook National University, and we are residents of Buk-gu (Daegu).”
In September, some residents were criticized for insulting Muslims by grilling pork belly, but the residents are stubborn.
[김정애/이슬람사원반대 주민비대위 부위원장]
“I grill pork belly in front of my house. Is that a problem that should be discriminated against and something that should be noticed?”
International Muslim students and human rights groups are concerned about hateful acts and are calling for an end to violence.
[서창호/이슬람사원문제해결대책위원장]
“I think it’s like burning the Taegeukgi every day when we went to another country and said we were against foreigners. Even if we expressed our opposition, it was peaceful and respectful…”
There are also voices criticizing the passive response of Buk-gu, Daegu, namely the local government.
Last September, the Supreme Court ruled that Buk-gu’s suspension of temple construction was illegal, but construction is still being halted due to residents’ opposition.
There is no progress in preparing an alternative site as one of the many alternatives.
Amidst this, human rights groups are protesting that they will request a formal trial when the prosecution has only fined the Muslim student in relation to the assault dispute that took place between the residents and the Muslim student a month last October
This is Kim Eun-hye from MBC News.
Lee Seung-jun/Daegu video comment
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