"Islamic Temple Protesters Followed Me Home... It's Scary" Controversy Over Blue House Petition

'Protect South Korea'... Blue House Petition Gains 50,000 Supporters
"Residents Struggle to Prevent Construction of Islamic Temple"

Photo by Cheong Wa Dae National Petition Board screen capture.

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Amid controversy over the construction of an Islamic mosque in Daehyeon-dong, Buk-gu, Daegu, a citizen posted a petition opposing the construction, claiming that "residents are being discriminated against because of the Islamic group."

Recently, a petition titled "Please Protect the Republic of Korea" was posted on the Blue House National Petition Board. As of 4 p.m. on the 13th, the petition had received over 52,500 signatures.

The petitioner, identified as Mr. A, a Daegu citizen opposing the construction of the Islamic mosque, opened by saying, "I have been struggling for over eight months to stop the construction of the Islamic mosque."

Mr. A said, "Since early this year, a mosque has been going up in the middle of a residential area. Living near Kyungpook National University, I have seen many foreigners, but this is the first time I have seen foreigners forming their own communal society, acting collectively, and gaining influence."

He continued, "At some point, the number of Muslims started to increase, and now they outnumber the residents. Seeing groups of 10 to 20 people dressed in Islamic attire roaming the streets together often feels intimidating," adding, "Nowadays, you only hear Arabic on the streets."

Mr. A also claimed, "Where would international students get the money to buy land and build? It seems like a huge Islamic force is supporting this behind the scenes as a strategy to Islamize our country."

He stated, "They are already a threat to us residents. They point fingers at grandmothers, watch residents opposing the mosque, and what's even more absurd is that they act as if they own the place," adding, "When residents protest, groups of Muslims come to their homes to intimidate them, so now the residents are so scared that they are considering leaving their homes."

Furthermore, Mr. A criticized, "A certain professor supporting Islam even suggested creating a multicultural street, but why should our people abandon our cultural identity and create a multicultural street?"

He added, "If foreigners come, they should follow our culture. Why should our people follow multiculturalism? If the Islamic mosque is built, our residents will lose their homes and have to leave. In fact, some are already packing up," lamenting, "These days, our residents are experiencing reverse discrimination and hatred."

He also said, "Through opposing this mosque, I have painfully realized how powerful the Islamic force is in our country. After more than eight months of fighting, the residents are very exhausted. Now, the people need to support us."

Meanwhile, opposition from local residents continues as an Islamic mosque is being constructed near the residential area of Daehyeon-dong, Daegu, where Kyungpook National University is located. The mosque's builders, mainly international students from Kyungpook National University, received permission from Buk-gu Office and began construction in December last year.

In related news, in April, a letter from a Muslim student to Daehyeon-dong residents went viral online. The Muslim student, who identified themselves as a second-year middle school foreigner, said, "I understand the discomfort caused by the Islamic mosque issue," but added, "Islam is an obligation for us and essential for survival."

They continued, "The establishment of an Islamic mosque in Daehyeon-dong was a hope," and said, "Stopping the construction of the mosque means stopping hope and causing destruction."

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