Returning to Daegu: Continuing Our Documentary on the Mosque Construction Conflict
11/13/26
Last week, the Moktan team travelled to Daegu, South Korea, to continue filming for an ongoing documentary project exploring the conflict surrounding the once highly publicized construction of a mosque in a small, close-knit neighbourhood near Kyungpook National University (KNU).
The project has been in production since 2023, with filming taking place sporadically as events have unfolded. Our previous shoot took place nearly two years ago, after which production went on hiatus as construction of the mosque was halted indefinitely. During this time, we focused on reviewing the footage already captured, working on a preliminary edit, and reassessing the direction of the film, including identifying the additional footage and perspectives needed to complete the story.
Since our last visit, there have been some significant developments. Most notably, the local government proposed relocating the mosque to a nearby government-owned site that previously served as a police substation. This introduced a new dimension to the ongoing dispute and gave us an opportunity to revisit the key people involved and understand how their positions may have evolved.
Background: The Daegu Mosque Conflict
The conflict dates back to 2020, when Muslim students and members of the local Muslim community began constructing a purpose-built mosque in Daehyeon-dong, near Kyungpook National University. The existing prayer space had become too small for the growing community, prompting plans for a larger facility. However, the construction quickly met opposition from some local residents, who raised concerns about the impact on their neighbourhood. What followed was a prolonged dispute involving protests, legal battles, and allegations of anti-Muslim discrimination, eventually drawing national and international media attention.
Although the courts ruled in favour of the mosque's construction, the project has faced further setbacks, and the building remains unfinished. More recently, the local government proposed relocating the mosque to a nearby government-owned site in an attempt to resolve the dispute. This ongoing disagreement, and the people and communities on both sides of it, is the subject of our documentary.
Two Days of Filming in Daegu
Mike Beech and Keith Park filming the mosque construction site from the roof top of a neighboring house
For this round of production, we spent two nights in Daegu, capturing several important pieces of the story.
On the first day, we filmed a neighbourhood event, conducted a short on-the-fly interview with a resident living directly next to the mosque construction site, and captured additional B-roll to document the atmosphere and everyday life of the surrounding neighbourhood.
The second day was particularly packed and productive.
In the morning, we conducted an important interview with the Muslim Student Media Representative, who shared his perspective on the ongoing situation and offered insight into how the Muslim student community views the local government's relocation proposal.
In the afternoon, we filmed another event on the university campus and revisited a local community leader whom we had interviewed during our previous shoots. It was an opportunity to hear her reflect on the conflict as a whole, looking back at how the situation has developed and where things currently stand, particularly as the dispute appeared to be approaching a possible resolution.
Later that evening, we joined the Muslim students at their masjid, where we were welcomed in to film their evening prayers and the community gathering over tea afterwards. We then followed the students to a table tennis tournament organised by the student community, capturing another side of their everyday lives beyond the ongoing controversy.
Building Trust and Access Over Time
This was an exceptionally productive shoot. We managed to capture almost everything we had planned, along with additional material that will be valuable in shaping the final film.
One of the most important aspects of working on a documentary over several years is the relationships you build along the way. Over time, we have established a strong rapport and mutual trust with both the KNU Muslim student community and the local resident community.
Having spent time with both sides, we have been fortunate to gain a level of access that would be difficult to achieve through a short-term production. This allows us to document not only the public-facing aspects of the conflict, but also the everyday interactions, personal perspectives, and community dynamics that often go unseen.
For a story as complex and sensitive as this one, that trust is invaluable. It gives us the opportunity to approach the subject with greater nuance, hear from people on different sides of the issue, and build a more complete picture of a situation that cannot easily be reduced to a simple disagreement.
Looking Ahead
We have one more shoot planned for early next year, which will include an interview with a local government official, along with some additional pick-up B-roll to fill in the remaining gaps in the story.
Following that, we plan to move into full post-production, bringing together the footage accumulated over several years of filming. Our current target is to complete the documentary in Spring 2027.
It's been a long-running project, and returning to Daegu after nearly two years was an important step towards bringing it to completion. We look forward to seeing how the story comes together.
The Unfinished Mosque of Korea Trailer
