Murfreesboro Tennessee Mosque Site Torched
Arson investigation under way
Aug 29 2010 Posted in Featured News, U.S. News by Mark Leevan with 0 Comments and 0 Reactions
Someone poured a combustible liquid on construction equipment at the site of the new Islamic Center and Mosque near Murfeesboro, Tennessee.
Federal agents are investigating the fire as an arson crime.
Carnie Ayash, a spokeswoman for the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro, said the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department was contacted around 1:30 a.m. by a witness to the flames. The site has been the scene of vandalism twice in the past.
Ayash said the vandalism at the site…
“takes it to a whole new level. Everyone in our community no longer feels safe. To set a fire that could have blown up equipment and, God forbid, spread and caused damage to the neighbors there … we really feel like this is something that we and the neighbors don’t deserve.”
Muslim families have been worshiping in the area for years in an office suite. 250 local families have been using the facility.
When plans were presented to city officials hundreds stormed the meeting to protest. Supporters of the Murfreesboro mosque gathered as a show of support on June 24.
“We unfortunately did not experience hostilities for the 30 years we’ve been here and have only seen the hostility since approval of the site plan for the new center…”
Said Saleh Sbenaty, a member of the planning committee and a professor of engineering technology at Middle Tennessee State University.
Opponents say the center more than a place of prayer; they are afraid the 15-acre site that was once farmland will be turned into a terrorist training ground for Muslim militants.
“They are not a religion
. They are a political, militaristic group,”
Bob Shelton, a 76-year-old retiree who lives in the area, told The Associated Press.
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