What Do You Think About the 'Whole Pig Barbecue' in Front of Daegu Islamic Center?

Opposition Committee Against Islamic Temple Construction Condemns Muslim Exchange Students
“Whole Pig Barbecue” Event Called Year-End Party
Muslims Consider Eating Pork a 'Sin'
Deepening Conflict Between Residents and Muslims

On the morning of the 15th, the 'Daehyeon-dong Islamic Temple Construction Opposition Committee' held a press conference in front of the west gate of Kyungpook National University in Buk-gu, Daegu. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Residents of a neighborhood in Buk-gu, Daegu, have sparked controversy by opposing the construction of an Islamic temple and preparing whole pig barbecue near the temple construction site. Pork is strictly prohibited for Muslims, and the barbecue tasting is interpreted as a form of strong protest. The Islamic temple project was initiated to provide a prayer space for international students attending a nearby university. Residents refuse to accept this, and the conflict between the two sides has escalated into legal battles as well as emotional disputes.

The 'Daehyeon-dong Islamic Temple Construction Opposition Committee' (Opposition Committee) held a 'Daehyeon-dong Year-End Grand Feast' in front of the temple construction site after a press conference at the west gate of Kyungpook National University on the morning of the 15th. The whole pig barbecue prepared for the feast weighed about 50 kg, enough for 40 to 50 adults.

At the press conference, the Opposition Committee announced that a Pakistani international student was summarily indicted on charges of assault for pushing a resident's arm who tried to remove the construction owner's tent. They added, "Despite the assault incident involving the Islamic construction owners, they claim that construction is being obstructed because a pig's head was placed near the temple construction site," and stated, "We will respond strongly to the assault incident involving the Muslim international student."

International student A, suspected of assaulting a resident, is accused of pushing the arm of a resident who tried to remove a banner supporting the construction of the Islamic temple in October. Human rights organizations have opposed this and announced plans to request a formal trial.

During the press conference, two current and former students of Kyungpook National University attempted to post a large poster criticizing the Opposition Committee on the wall near the university's west gate, causing conflict. The poster reportedly contained the message, "Problems should be resolved through dialogue, not pork."

The 'Daehyeon-dong Islamic Temple Construction Opposition Committee' protested on the 15th when two current students and graduates of Kyungpook National University tried to post a large notice criticizing the committee's pork event at the west gate of Kyungpook National University in Buk-gu, Daegu.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The conflict over the construction of the Islamic temple began in September 2020. Seven Muslims, mainly international students at Kyungpook National University, applied for a building permit from Buk-gu Office in Daegu to change the use of a single-family house jointly owned by them to a 'Type 2 Neighborhood Living Facility Religious Assembly Hall.' The total area is 245 square meters (74 pyeong). Buk-gu Office granted the building permit as there were no legal restrictions on constructing a religious assembly hall in the area.

However, after learning of this, about 350 residents submitted a petition opposing the project to Buk-gu Office, which then issued an administrative order to halt construction until the complaints were resolved through agreement with the residents. In response, the temple owner filed a lawsuit against Buk-gu Office to cancel the construction suspension order, and the courts, including the Supreme Court, ruled in favor of the owner. Nevertheless, the conflict between residents and international students has not been easily resolved. The dispute between the owner and nearby residents has continued for nearly two years.

In September last year, a Daegu citizen appealed on the Blue House petition board, saying, "Local residents are suffering reverse discrimination and hatred because of the Islamic group trying to build a collective society," and urged, "Please stop their expansion." He claimed that the temple was being built in the middle of a residential area, that Muslims were forming a collective society, engaging in group actions, and gaining influence. He also raised his voice, saying, "If foreigners come, they should follow our culture; why should our citizens follow multiculturalism?"

Among Muslims, appeals for cultural respect continue. In April of the same year, a Muslim middle school student sent a letter to Daehyeon-dong residents, saying, "I understand that you feel uncomfortable because of the Islamic temple issue," but added, "Islam is an obligation and essential for our survival." The student emphasized, "Respecting diverse cultures means you are considering our Islamic temple," and "We also have rights."

As the conflict escalates to extremes without finding an appropriate compromise, some Daehyeon-dong residents caused controversy in October by placing pig heads in front of the Islamic temple construction site. It is reported that three pig heads and several pig trotters and tails hanging on a string were placed near the construction site. This is interpreted as pointing out the Islamic civilization's view of pork consumption as sinful and showing a significant cultural difference from ours.

As the conflict between residents and international students over the Islamic temple construction grows, a smooth agreement between the two sides seems unlikely in the near future. A Buk-gu Office official stated that efforts were made, including appointing conflict resolution experts and holding mediation meetings, but no consensus was reached.