MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The final legal hurdle over construction of a mosque in Murfreesboro may be over.
County attorneys asked a judge to throw out the final legal challenge on Wednesday. Opponents have argued the county failed to give sufficient public notice before approving the project.
The judge will review the
motion on April 19. County officials are hoping he will toss out a lawsuit that
claims they did not give proper notice when approving building plans for the
new Islamic Center of Murfreesboro.
Mosque opponents say they are readying a response.
Meanwhile, major progress
has been made in construction of the center.
Distinctive arches have taken shape, the frame of the building is
complete and workers are starting to put bricks around it.
"We are so
excited," said Imam Ossama Bahloul.
"I think when we have the new facility it will be a time for us to
celebrate freedom of religion."
Amid legal battles and
protests to stop construction, someone set fire to equipment on the mosque site
and mosque officials received threatening phone calls. Despite all that, construction started last
September. Now, 7 months later, crews
are nearing completion. The Islamic
Center is scheduled to be done in late summer.
"It will be a place
for Muslims to pray, a place for non-Muslims to come and share information, a
place for our youth to play and have fun," said Bahloul. "It will do what any religious facility
does."
In February, construction on the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro began.
Since its approval by the Rutherford County Planning Commission the project has been fraught by legal challenges, threats and even arson.
When complete the 53,000 square foot project will include a pool, gymnasium, school and places for prayer.
Past Stories:
- Feb. 8, 2012: Construction Begins On Murfreesboro Mosque
- Nov. 2, 2011: Chancellor Sets Date For Murfreesboro Mosque Trial
- Oct. 11, 2011: New Court Date Set In Murfreesboro Mosque Lawsuit
- Oct. 7, 2011: Another Plea Filed Against Murfreesboro Mosque
- Sep. 28, 2011: Group Breaks Ground On Murfreesboro Mosque
- Sep. 27, 2011: Groundbreaking For New Mosque On Wednesday
- Sep. 14, 2011: Mosque Construction Delayed After Bids Lacking
- Sep. 6, 2011: Murfreesboro Mosque Receives Bomb Threat 5 Days Before 9/11
- Aug. 31, 2011: Judge Affirms Ruling Allowing Mosque Construction
- Aug. 29, 2011: Judge Says Mosque is Protected by Religious Freedom
- June 27, 2011: Tensions Rise In Murfreesboro Mosque Hearing
- June 16, 2011: Plaintiffs Want Access To Leaders' Emails About Mosque
- April 19, 2011: Security Cameras Removed At Murfreesboro Mosque Site
- April 6, 2011: Mosque Neighbors Join In On Lawsuit
- March 9, 2011: Judge Denies Request For Emails In Mosque Hearing
- Feb. 14, 2011: County Lawyers To Ask For Dismissal Of Mosque Case
- Nov. 17, 2010: Judge Denies Request To Stop Mosque Construction
- Nov. 2, 2010: Legal Fees For Mosque Suit Could Top $50,000
- Oct. 25, 2010: High Cost Of Security Could Slow Mosque Construction
- Oct. 22, 2010: Opponents Try To Link Mosque Members To Terrorists
- Oct. 21, 2010: Attorney: Mosque Board Member Has Ties To Terrorists
- Oct. 20, 2010: County Officials Defend Action In Murfreesboro Mosque Case
- Oct. 19, 2010: Murfreesboro Mosque Lawyer Says He'll Still Make His Case
- Oct. 18, 2010: Justice Dept. Enters Murfreesboro Mosque Controversy
- Sep. 21, 2010: Bizarre Murfreesboro Mosque Confrontation Caught On Tape
- Sep. 11, 2010: Animal Rights Group Promotes Compassion for Murfreesboro Mosque
- Sep. 6, 2010: Murfreesboro Mosque Site Neighbors Moving Out
- Aug. 12, 2010: Commissioners Hear More About Murfreesboro Mosque
- June 25, 2010: Candidate Denounces Murfreesboro Mosque Proposal
- June 24, 2010: Murfreesboro Mosque Supporters Have Their Voices Heard
- May 20, 2011: Building Permit Obtained For Murfreesboro Mosque
- Nov. 15, 2010: Defense Rests In Murfreesboro Mosque Hearing
- Nov. 12, 2010: Plaintiffs Rest In Murfreesboro Mosque Hearing
