Daegu Islamic Center Facing Flood of Complaints, Construction Ultimately 'Temporarily Suspended'

Photo by Cheongwadae National Petition Board capture

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Soyoung] Construction of an Islamic mosque in Daehyeon-dong, Buk-gu, Daegu, has been temporarily halted due to complaints from citizens opposing the construction. The Buk-gu Office stated that it will consider the concerns raised by the complainants and review the related controversy.

The construction of a new Islamic prayer hall, approximately 230㎡ (about 70 pyeong) in size, which received building permission in September last year and began in December of the same year, was progressing with the framework work until recently. Religious assembly halls are classified as Type 2 Neighborhood Living Facilities under the Building Act.

The mosque is being built in a residential area near the west gate of Kyungpook National University. Since construction began recently, nearby residents have expressed opposition by hanging banners around the construction site and at Daegu City Hall and Buk-gu Office, with messages such as "Strongly Oppose the Construction of an Islamic Mosque in the Middle of a Densely Populated Residential Area - From Residents of Daehyeon and Sangyeok."

Residents cited noise and foul odors as the main reasons for opposing the facility's construction. According to the Buk-gu Office, about 350 residents from Daehyeon and Sangyeok-dong submitted petitions urging the suspension of the mosque construction due to noise caused by prayers.

Residents claimed, "If Muslims gather to pray three times a day, day and night, the noise causes distress and infringes on our right to pursue happiness."

Opposition also continued online. On the 16th, a petition titled "Opposition to the Construction of an Islamic Mosque in a Densely Populated Residential Area in Daegu" was posted on the Blue House's National Petition Board.

The petitioner stated, "They are planning to build an Islamic mosque next to Kyungpook National University in a densely populated residential area. It is a neighborhood with an elementary school as well. It is a place where local residents, university students from various regions, and elementary school students coexist. We oppose the construction." The content of this petition has since been modified by administrators as it violated the current petition requirements.

As the situation continued, the Buk-gu Office eventually notified the building owner to stop construction. A Buk-gu Office official said, "We were not aware of the residents' complaints at the time of granting the building permit," and added, "We will mediate so that both sides make some concessions and reach an agreement through dialogue," signaling the start of efforts to find a compromise.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.