Protesters call for removing a 100-foot statue of a Chinese deity from a temple complex in Surabaya, Indonesia. The figure is considered one of the region’s most significant representations of the Chinese god. Under pressure from the Indonesian government, temple officials covered the sculpture.
A 98-foot-tall Chinese deity, Guan Yu’s statue was covered with an enormous sheet.
Chinese deity Guan Yu, sometimes called Guan Yin, is the patroness of fisherman, the mistress of the Southern Sea, and the patroness of fishermen. She often appears with a child on her knees or in her arms. She is also represented by a dragon’s head, a symbol of high spirituality and wisdom. The dragon is also an ancient symbol of transformation and strength.
The 98-foot-tall statue of Guan Yu, covered in an enormous sheet, is one of the largest in Southeast Asia and is a significant cultural icon. It was erected at the cost of 2.5 billion Indonesian rupiahs ($187,000) by the local Kwan Sing Bio Temple in East Java. It has received criticism from local Muslims for being an insult to Islam.
Guan Yu served as a military general under the warlord Liu Bei in ancient China. He was subsequently deified during the Sui dynasty. The novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms celebrated Guan Yu’s life. Today, Guan Yu is revered as a model of loyalty and is a significant figure in Chinese folk religion. He is also held in high regard in Confucianism.
The history of Guan Yu is murky, and we don’t know much about his early life. His first name was Changcheng, and he was born in Shanxi province. His father was a cruel and uncaring king. Liu Bei later became Shandong’s ruler, making Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, his generals. The latter was responsible for protecting Liu Bei from danger.
Among the sculpture’s most distinctive features is its shape. It resembles the Chinese yuan and Japanese yen but lacks the forked prong at the top. The form of the statue is also reminiscent of the Cross of Lorraine, a heraldic two-barred cross. But unlike the other famous cross, the vertical member of the sculpture does not protrude beyond the upper crossbar.
Protesters demand demolition of Chinese god statue.
A colossal Chinese god statue has sparked outrage in Indonesia, prompting protesters to demand demolition. The statue was built several centuries ago by Chinese temple owners in Tuban. It’s estimated to be the tallest in South-East Asia. A giant white sheet surrounded the figure for protection, but this has not stopped protesters.
Protesters say the statue does not reflect the official religion of Indonesia and is an insult to Muslims. However, the state and the local government have refused to remove the statue, citing security concerns. In addition, the figure lacks a building permit. The protest comes as Indonesia faces rising religious tensions. Last year, Islamist protesters turned violent in a city led by a Chinese Christian governor. The governor, Basuki “Ahok” Purnama, is serving a two-year jail sentence for blasphemy.
My statue of Indonesia, a Chinese deity, is covered.
The controversy surrounding the statue has been interpreted as a reflection of growing religious intolerance in Indonesia. The country is a Muslim majority, and ethnic Chinese make up less than five percent of the population. Although the Indonesian government protects freedom of religion, the statute was not approved by the government.
Muslim protestors argue that the statue violates Islam, the official religion of Indonesia. The deputy police chief, however, has defended the statute’s cover-up, saying it is necessary for security and order. Religious tensions in Indonesia have reached new heights, and the statue’s removal has prompted protests by Islamists. They have also accused a former Christian Jakarta governor of blasphemy.
The controversy over the statue has also sparked a debate on social media. The 98-foot-tall statue of Guan Yu in Tuban, East Java, was unveiled in July. It cost 2.5 billion rupiahs (roughly $190,000) to build. The controversy has led to a raging debate on social media, with one Islamic leader mocking the protesters.
The ensuing controversy has led Indonesian authorities to urge local authorities to resist pressure from Islamists and stand up for Indonesia’s cultural heritage. The government urged local officials to avoid the destruction of the statue, which stands 30 meters tall at the Kwan Seng Bio temple complex in Tuban.
