Religious groups' fury at Osama bin Lego toy

[emad]

A range of children's toy figures which includes an al Qaeda terrorist and a Nazi major has outraged religious leaders.

The two-inch toy terrorist comes with a rocket launcher, two guns and eight grenades and a head scarf to cover his identity.

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The latest range also includes the Nazi officer, which has SS insignias and a stormtrooper with grenade launchers.

Religious groups today hit out at the range. Mohammed Shaffiq, chief executive of Muslim youth organisation the Ramadhan Foundation, said: "It is glorifying terrorism - the makers should be ashamed.

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Edie Friedman, director of the Jewish Council for Racial Equality, said: "These distasteful toys are something we could all do without."

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23597009-details/Religious+groups%27+fury+at+Osama+bin+Lego+toy/article.do

[BoneDaddy]

1. I am not religious

and I find this incredibly offensive and in very bad taste.

[napi21]

2. Oh for goodness sake! There were little Huitler toys, tin soldiers

that looked like Germans, and even Roman gladiators. It sure doesn't take mucfh to upset some people!

[gollygee]

3. They really made those? Are you sure this is legit?

There are a lot of spoof Legos out there. I can't imagine them making Nazi and Al Qaeda Lego people. The body on the one pictured looks like it's from Lego Star Wars. And the faces aren't yellow anymore, are they?

[muriel_volestrangler]

5. From the article:

The figures, costing £9.50, are by US toy manufacturer BrickArms which customises military-themed toys from Lego pieces.
...
A spokesman for Lego said: "Lego UK is not associated with the toys being sold by BrickArms, which have been customised without Lego UK's knowledge or permission.

"BrickArms is not licensed by Lego UK to customise Lego figures and has no links to the Lego brand.

"Lego UK is committed to developing toys which enrich childhood by encouraging imaginative and creative play - and does not endorse products that do not fit with this philosophy."

[gollygee]

6. Aaah I see

Yeah there are spoof Legos out there but they're intended to shock people - they aren't made to be children's toys.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

4. This is the most tasteless set of legos since their "Birth of a Nation" line.

[nykym]

7. Went to BrickArms site

pretty bizarre! The terrorist is billed as a bandit named Mr. White. But this pic really caught my eye could be a poster for the War on Christmas - maybe we could chip in and get Bill-O his own!