Murfreesboro, NU Online
Debate over whether a Muslim mosque should be built just south of Murfreesboro packed 1,000 protesters into that city's public square on Wednesday, police estimated.
Fewer than half marched in from Central Middle School, a half-mile away, to deliver petitions to the county courthouse — 20,000 names, organizers said, of people opposed to the mosque. But the majority of the crowd was already waiting, bearing signs that said "I love my Muslim neighbors" and "Freedom of religion." />
County Mayor Ernest Burgess expected the petitions, and both sides dispersed quietly after less than two hours, many with their clothing soaked in sweat from the midday heat.
Burgess said officials won't take action to stop the mosque, and he doesn't believe Wednesday's demonstrations will affect Rutherford County's reputation for good or bad.
"It's two opposing views," Burgess said. "It's a healthy debate. I don't think it affects us now or down the line."
But the Muslim Student Association's faculty adviser at MTSU said anti-Muslim sentiment expressed in the course of the protest makes people believe Rutherford is inhospitable.
"This, in return, could discourage Muslim students as well as faculty members from choosing Middle Tennessee State University for their education or as a place of work," said Saleh M. Sbenaty, an engineering professor.
Delivering the petitions was largely a ceremonial gesture. The Board of Zoning Appeals held a late afternoon meeting, but the mosque wasn't on the agenda, and none of the protesters attended.
Those who oppose the planned 52,000-square-foot Islamic center off Bradyville Pike say they fear traffic congestion and feel the site plan approval for the mosque was hurried through government. Some wore T-shirts with the word "Infidel," the word Muslim extremists use to characterize Christians and Americans. One woman held a sign that read: "Stop TN homegrown terrorism."
Ashley Harris didn't have a T-shirt or a sign, but she held a thick stack of petitions and continued collecting signatures during the march.
"Some people have their own reasons they don't want the mosque," she said. "While my reasons are different, they have a right to their opinion."
These clashes are part of diversity's growing pains in what were once largely white communities, said Richard McGregor, associate professor of religious studies at Vanderbilt University. Islam around the world is divided between mainstream Islam, which is that vast majority, and a small percentage of Jihadists, who believe in religious violence.
Jihadists have begun using websites to try and recruit young American Muslims to their causes. That's one reason that mosques have expanded their educational programs, in order to keep young Muslims far away from extremists.
"It's better to learn from a flesh and blood teacher in say, Murfreesboro, than over the web," he said. "That's going to produce more moderation and transparency."
Claire Rogers, spokeswoman for Middle Tennesseans for Religious Freedom, said the group helped organize its counter-protest to show Middle Tennesseans want communities based on tolerance.
"We're here to support our neighbors. There is superficial reasons given not to have the mosque, and it may be Islamophobia," she said as quoted by Tennessean.com.
A plan to turn an Antioch movie theater into an Islamic center is facing opposition led by a Metro Nashville school board member who wants the location to be a branch of Nashville State Community College. Muslims withdrew a Brentwood mosque plan after it faced fierce community resistance during the zoning process.
The new center south of Murfreesboro is supposed to include a mosque area for prayer, as well as a gym, a pool, offices, classrooms, a sports field, a pavilion, a playground and a home for the imam, their religious leader.
The Muslim community, with 250 families, has outgrown its current space at 862 Middle Tennessee Blvd.
Nader Hobballah, of Lebanese descent, lives in Murfreesboro and is in favor of the mosque. He graduated from MTSU with a degree in international relations in May.
"The center has already said it wouldn't have prayer speakers, respecting the neighbors," Hobballah said. "This shouldn't be an issue, but looking at all these people it's good to see a people debating over the First Amendment." (dar)
Debate over whether a Muslim mosque should be built just south of Murfreesboro packed 1,000 protesters into that city's public square on Wednesday, police estimated.
Fewer than half marched in from Central Middle School, a half-mile away, to deliver petitions to the county courthouse — 20,000 names, organizers said, of people opposed to the mosque. But the majority of the crowd was already waiting, bearing signs that said "I love my Muslim neighbors" and "Freedom of religion."
County Mayor Ernest Burgess expected the petitions, and both sides dispersed quietly after less than two hours, many with their clothing soaked in sweat from the midday heat.
Burgess said officials won't take action to stop the mosque, and he doesn't believe Wednesday's demonstrations will affect Rutherford County's reputation for good or bad.
"It's two opposing views," Burgess said. "It's a healthy debate. I don't think it affects us now or down the line."
But the Muslim Student Association's faculty adviser at MTSU said anti-Muslim sentiment expressed in the course of the protest makes people believe Rutherford is inhospitable.
"This, in return, could discourage Muslim students as well as faculty members from choosing Middle Tennessee State University for their education or as a place of work," said Saleh M. Sbenaty, an engineering professor.
Delivering the petitions was largely a ceremonial gesture. The Board of Zoning Appeals held a late afternoon meeting, but the mosque wasn't on the agenda, and none of the protesters attended.
Those who oppose the planned 52,000-square-foot Islamic center off Bradyville Pike say they fear traffic congestion and feel the site plan approval for the mosque was hurried through government. Some wore T-shirts with the word "Infidel," the word Muslim extremists use to characterize Christians and Americans. One woman held a sign that read: "Stop TN homegrown terrorism."
Ashley Harris didn't have a T-shirt or a sign, but she held a thick stack of petitions and continued collecting signatures during the march.
"Some people have their own reasons they don't want the mosque," she said. "While my reasons are different, they have a right to their opinion."
These clashes are part of diversity's growing pains in what were once largely white communities, said Richard McGregor, associate professor of religious studies at Vanderbilt University. Islam around the world is divided between mainstream Islam, which is that vast majority, and a small percentage of Jihadists, who believe in religious violence.
Jihadists have begun using websites to try and recruit young American Muslims to their causes. That's one reason that mosques have expanded their educational programs, in order to keep young Muslims far away from extremists.
"It's better to learn from a flesh and blood teacher in say, Murfreesboro, than over the web," he said. "That's going to produce more moderation and transparency."
Claire Rogers, spokeswoman for Middle Tennesseans for Religious Freedom, said the group helped organize its counter-protest to show Middle Tennesseans want communities based on tolerance.
"We're here to support our neighbors. There is superficial reasons given not to have the mosque, and it may be Islamophobia," she said as quoted by Tennessean.com.
A plan to turn an Antioch movie theater into an Islamic center is facing opposition led by a Metro Nashville school board member who wants the location to be a branch of Nashville State Community College. Muslims withdrew a Brentwood mosque plan after it faced fierce community resistance during the zoning process.
The new center south of Murfreesboro is supposed to include a mosque area for prayer, as well as a gym, a pool, offices, classrooms, a sports field, a pavilion, a playground and a home for the imam, their religious leader.
The Muslim community, with 250 families, has outgrown its current space at 862 Middle Tennessee Blvd.
Nader Hobballah, of Lebanese descent, lives in Murfreesboro and is in favor of the mosque. He graduated from MTSU with a degree in international relations in May.
"The center has already said it wouldn't have prayer speakers, respecting the neighbors," Hobballah said. "This shouldn't be an issue, but looking at all these people it's good to see a people debating over the First Amendment." (dar)
Terpopuler
1
Gus Yahya Sampaikan Selamat kepada Juara Kaligrafi Internasional Asal Indonesia
2
Menbud Fadli Zon Klaim Penulisan Ulang Sejarah Nasional Sedang Uji Publik
3
Guru Didenda Rp25 Juta, Ketum PBNU Soroti Minimnya Apresiasi dari Wali Murid
4
Khutbah Jumat: Menjaga Keluarga dari Konten Negatif di Era Media Sosial
5
PCNU Kota Bandung Luncurkan Business Center, Bangun Kemandirian Ekonomi Umat
6
Rezeki dari Cara yang Haram, Masihkah Disebut Pemberian Allah?
Terkini
Lihat Semua
