Lawsuit pending, mosque opens

— The Islamic Center of Murfreesboro on Sunday celebrated its official opening.

The Daily News Journal reported that guests on Sunday included U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee Jerry Martin and U.S. Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Thomas Perez.

The U.S. attorney’s office intervened in federal court in July to protect the religious freedom of mosque members after a Chancery Court judge ordered the county to halt work on the building. The judge’s order stemmed from a finding that there was not adequate public notice of the meeting where the mosque was approved.

That suit is still under appeal.

The Rev. Joseph Breen, a Catholic priest from Nashville, also joined the celebration and spoke to the assembly.

“If we really believe in that God of love, how can we not love our neighbors?” he asked. “If one does not have the freedom to practice their religion, then before long none of us will.”

Front Section, Pages 4 on 11/20/2012

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