Construction of Tennessee Mosque Halted [View all]

Source: ABC News Radio

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) -- Construction of a suburban Nashville, Tenn., mosque that was supposed to have been completed in 2010 has been halted and could be stopped for good after Chancellor Robert Corlew ruled Tuesday that the public wasn't given the proper notice two years ago at a meeting to approve the site plan.

Technically, it means the Rutherford County Planning Commission could still approve the site near the city of Murfreesboro, but its chances of completion are diminished.

Saleh Sbenaty, a spokesman for the leadership of the mosque, says he plans to move forward with the mosque since it's already partially constructed.

Tempers ran high with the announcement of a mosque being built in this conservative Tennessee community, with many opponents proclaiming that Islam is not a legitimate religion.




Read more: http://www.670kboi.com/rssItem.asp?feedid=118&itemid=29855948

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After lawsuits and arson, judge's ruling derails plans for Tennessee mosque

updated 3:48 AM EDT, Wed May 30, 2012


STORY HIGHLIGHTS
A judge rules the public was not alerted about meetings before mosque plans were approved
"Some people feel like it is discrimination," the leader of the mosque says
Critics have argued that Islam is not a true religion that deserves First Amendment protection

(CNN) -- The long-running battle between a Tennessee Muslim community and a group of critics over a new mosque took a dramatic turn Tuesday when a judge ruled that construction had to halt.

"Everyone is really shocked, many people are crying about this," Imam Osama Bahloul, leader of the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro, said early Wednesday morning. "We did exactly what other churches in the county did. We followed the same process that other churches did. Why did this happen? Some people feel like it is discrimination."

The judge, Chancellor Robert Corlew, ruled that plans for the new mosque that had previously been approved by a local planning commission were now "void and of no effect," CNN affiliate WTVF reported.

more: http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/30/us/tennessee-mosque-controversy/