Tennessee mosque at center of lawsuit, protests to open
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A new mosque that had been the subject of a lawsuit, arson, vandalism and a bomb threat will open for prayers in Tennessee on Friday.
Building Codes Director David Jones in Rutherford County 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 a judge in that Tennessee county ruled in May that the meeting at which mosque construction was approved was not sufficiently advertised to the public.
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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 proceed.
The temporary permit runs until mid-October, allowing the contractors time to finish the landscaping and some other last tasks.