Lego denies making Islamaphobic toys but discontinues

"Star Wars: Jabba's Palace" box set will be taken off shelves by the end of 2013, but Lego denies they are doing so because of accusations against them. These strong remarks come from a Turkish community in Austria. The group firmly believes that Lego’s box set was Islamaphobic and racist.

Characteristics of the toy have a striking similarity to the Hagia Sophia mosque in Istanbul. A figurine from the children’s play set also is said to look like muezzin, who gathers Muslims to pray. The muezzin twin is seen with an axe and gun.

Although the Turkish group had pointed out that there was a "clear case of cultural racism" with the toy, they thought the Danish firm discontinued it because they had received the message. However, the Turkish cultural community in Austria got lost in translation, as spokeswoman Katharina Sasse explained to AFP, that there were other reasons why they decided to pull the plug on the toy’s lifeline, including the large amount of feedback.

"We listen very closely and take feedback very seriously. It must be said though that when it comes to the Star Wars line, we develop our products in line with the films," Sasse said to AFP.