Update: Government Destroys Religious Buildings Said to Represent Interfaith Harmony

August 2, 2005

Source: Taipei Times

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2005/08/02/2003266089

On August 2, 2005 the Taipei Times reported, "Authorities tore down a house-sized teapot, umbrella and boat that gained nationwide notoriety after a banned Malaysian religious sect built them in its commune, the sect's followers said yesterday. The structures, built by the Sky Kingdom sect to represent interfaith harmony, were reduced to rubble by bulldozers sent by the state government on Sunday in northeastern Terengganu, where the sect has been accused of spreading teachings that run contrary to Islam.

Newspapers published photos of the structures in ruins, with unidentified officials quoted as saying the sect built them illegally earlier this year on land meant for agriculture.

Sulaiman Takrib, who has lived at the commune since 1998, said the residents' houses remain intact despite the destruction of the other architecture. Some 50 people still live there, but officials have ordered most of them to vacate their homes within three weeks, he said."