Tagged: murfreesboro mosque

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — The Islamic Center of Murfreesboro received its final occupancy certificate Thursday. Friday, opponents of the Mosque continued their effort to prevent the new worship center from being used.

Islamic Center of Murfreesboro board chairman Essam Fathy says he’s relieved and happy the mosque has its permanent occupancy permit.

Since construction was approved in May 2010, the mosque has been targeted by vandalism, arson and a bomb threat.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT)  --  The Islamic Center of Murfreesboro says it plans to celebrate the end of Ramadan this Sunday in its new mosque.

The Mid-State congregation worshiped in their new facility for the first time this past Friday. Mosque Board Member Saleh Sbenaty says it was an incredibly exciting day.

“It just cannot be described. I mean you should have seen the kids and how excited they were. The elders who were crying as they entered the mosque.”

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) — Muslims in the Tennessee city of Murfreesboro were able to celebrate Friday prayers in a new mosque after more than two years of controversy about the building.

Opponents of the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro who sued to try to halt construction were nowhere to be seen. Instead the worship space was filled with smiling men, women and children.

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.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT)  --  The Islamic Center of Murfreesboro hopes to get permission to occupy its new worship center Tuesday morning. Spokesman Saley Sbenaty says the mosque is waiting for a final inspection by the State Fire Marshal’s office.

“There is one thing that we’re going to check tomorrow, which is the final fire pump and fire alarm inspection. Hopefully tomorrow around ten o’clock everything will be checked out and we’ll have the certificate of occupancy.”

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — The Islamic Center of Murfreesboro (ICM) will be permitted to occupy its new mosque in time for Ramadan.

WTVF-TV is reporting that a federal judge issued an emergency restraining order Wednesday evening that compels county officials to grant immediate occupancy. The order means that ICM will likely get to celebrate Ramadan beginning Thursday evening in its new facility.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn (WMOT)  --   The Murfreesboro Muslim community is deeply disappointed that they won’t get to celebrate Ramadan in their new mosque, according to an Islamic Center spokesman.

In a hearing on the case yesterday, Rutherford County Chancellor Robert Corlew re-affirmed his earlier ruling that construction of the Mosque can proceed, but Rutherford County won’t be allowed to issue a certificate of occupancy for the facility once it’s complete.