Lego has been accused of racism by the Turkish community over a Star Wars model
that supposedly resembles one of Istanbul’s most revered mosques.
Austria’s Turkish community said the
model was based on Hagia Sophia mosque in Istanbul and that the accompanying
figures depicted Asians and Orientals as people with “deceitful and criminal
personalities.”
The Turkish Cultural Community of Austria released a statement calling for
Lego to apologise for affronting religious and cultural feelings.
The anger was provoked by “Jabba’s Palace”, a model of the home of Jabba the
Hutt from Lego’s Star Wars product range based on the blockbusting series of
science fiction films.
Jabba is the large slug-like creature who holds Han Solo captive in the film
Return of the Jedi, and his palace is the setting for several crucial scenes,
including using Princess Leia as his slave.
Jabba’s domed home and accompanying watchtower bear, according to the
statement, an unwanted resemblance to Istanbul’s great Hagia Sophia, and another
mosque in Beirut.
