MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP/NewsChannel 5) - The Islamic Center of Murfreesboro held its first
prayer service inside their new mosque Friday, nearly two years after opponents
began a two-year court battle trying to stop it.
Midday prayers were held in the new building Friday, just days after county
officials issued a temporary occupancy permit following a final
inspection. More than 150 members of the Muslim community packed into the new
mosque for the prayer service. Mosque leaders wanted to make it clear that they
are just as much a member of the Murfreesboro community as anyone else.
"We fight terrorist acts just like everybody else," said the new Islamic
Center of Murfreesboro Board Chairman Essam Fathy. "Whoever you think is a
terrorist, is our enemy too. They hurt me; they hurt our families, and hurt our
economy. They are bad people to everyone, including to all of us.
One visible opponent of the mosque was on-site, but he says his purpose was
not to protest but to share the gospel and his faith with his new neighbors.
Construction was nearly halted in May when a state court ruled the public
didn't get enough notice that the center was planned. Last month, a federal
judge granted the mosque's request for an emergency order that would open the
building in time for the holy month of Ramadan, which is still under way.
The temporary permit runs until mid-October, allowing the contractors time
to finish the landscaping and some other last tasks.
Mosque leaders said they hope the joy the worshippers feel can now be shared
by the community southeast of Nashville.
The 12,000-square-foot mosque replaces a smaller one that's been used for 30
years. It includes a school and a gym.
Opposition to the new mosque has included a lawsuit, a large rally,
vandalism, arson and a bomb threat.
Recently, members of Grace Baptist Church put up several white crosses along
Bradyville Pike, alongside the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro.
They said the crosses are a statement of their Christian faith and their
feelings towards the new mosque.
Officials for the Islamic Center said they aren't upset, and believe they
must love their neighbors.
Past Stories:
- Aug. 7, 2012: Murfreesboro Mosque Granted Temporary Occupancy Permit
- July 31, 2012: Opponents File Motion To Challenge Murfreesboro Mosque
- July 27, 2012: Murfreesboro Mosque Gets More Time For Completion
- July 20, 2012: County Judge Nearly Stopped Mosque Building
- July 19, 2012: Mosque Will Not Open In Time For Ramadan
- July 18, 2012: Federal Judge Moves Mosque Closer To Opening
- July 10, 2012: Planners Consider New Vote On Murfreesboro Mosque
- July 2, 2012: Murfreesboro Judge Won't Let New Mosque Open
- June 22, 2012: County Appeals Judge's Ruling On Mosque Approval
- June 21, 2012: Texas Man Indicted For Threats Against Murfreesboro Mosque
- June 12, 2012: Commission Votes To Appeal Ruling On Murfreesboro Mosque
- June 11, 2012: Transparency Groups See Problems In Mosque Ruling
- June 7, 2012: Opponents Want Construction Stopped At Islamic Center
- June 1, 2012: Judge Voids Mosque Approval, Doesn't Stop Building
- May 30, 2012: Construction Continues On Murfreesboro Mosque
- May 29, 2012: Judge Says Murfreesboro Mosque Construction Must Stop
- April 26, 2012: Testimony Concluded In Murfreesboro Mosque Suit
- April 26, 2012: Islam Claims Blocked In Trial Over Murfreesboro Mosque
- April 20, 2012: Debate Over Murfreesboro Mosque Headed To Trial
- April 16, 2012: Former SNL Star Questions Murfreesboro Mosque
- April 4, 2012: Attorneys Ask Judge To Throw Out Mosque Challenge
- 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
(The Associated Press Contributed To This Report.)
