NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Islamic Center of Murfreesboro will meet for prayers in its new mosque on Friday.
Rutherford County Building Codes Director David Jones said Tuesday that he issued a temporary occupancy permit to the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro after inspectors approved the building.
Construction was nearly shut down after Rutherford County Chancellor Robert Corlew ruled in May that the meeting at which mosque construction was approved was not sufficiently advertised to the public.
Last month, federal prosecutors stepped in to protect the religious liberty of mosque members. A federal judge ruled in their favor, allowing construction and permitting to move ahead.
The temporary permit runs until mid-October, allowing the contractors time to finish the landscaping and some other last tasks.