Controversial Tennessee mosque targeted by arsonists gets go-ahead despite 16 months of protests

Mike Gallagher

May 21, 2011 - 16:27

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Controversial Tennessee mosque targeted by arsonists gets go-ahead despite 16 months of protests

Anger: Local residents held a rally and sang 'We Shall Overcome' in protest at the proposed Murfreesboro mosque last September. But now the project has been given the go-ahead

A hugely controversial mosque in Tennessee has been given the green light despite massive local opposition.

A lawsuit claiming plaintiffs would be 'harmed by the risk of terrorism and Sharia law' if construction went ahead was thrown out by a judge yesterday.

Now, after 16 months of court hearings and protests, the leaders of the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro will start building the mosque.

Last September there was a huge fire at the site, which was blamed on arsonists angry about the building of the Islamic place of worship.

It's thought the opposition to the site was part of a wider anti-Muslim backlash over plans to build another mosque near Ground Zero.

Demonstrators have also protested against a mosque in Califoia, and Christian preachers in Gainesville, Florida have been to court to insist on their right to bu copies of the Koran.

A lawsuit seeking to halt the construction of the mosque had been filed last September.

It claimed the plaintiffs 'have been and will be irreparably harmed by the risk of terrorism generated by proselytizing for Islam and teaching the practices of Sharia law'.

Backlash: Hundreds not in favour of new mosque near Ground Zeroposal of new Ground Zero mosque

Backlash: It's thought the opposition to the Murfreesboro site was part of a wider anti-Muslim backlash over plans to build another mosque near Ground Zero

The Islamic Center of Murfreesboro has had a facility in the area for the last 14 years, but now claims that with over 250 Islamic families in the community, it needs more space.

The new facility will total 52,000sqft and include a pool, gym, and school in addition to a mosque.

Imam Ossama Bahloul, the religious leader of the congregation in Murfreesboro, told The Daily News Joual that the mosque will be a place for everyone, even those who opposed its construction.

Earlier in the week, a Rutherford County judge ruled that the mosque construction does not harm the residents who sued the county over it.

But the judge allowed them to move forward on claims the county violated an open meetings law in approving it.