The Justice Department has filed suit against Rutherford County, Tenn. for not approving a certificate of occupancy to the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro, which has been the center of intense opposition by anti-Muslim bloggers.
A chancery court “imposed a heightened notice requirement on the mosque, one not imposed on other religious or secular organizations,” when it ruled that the county didn’t offer enough public notice before a hearing for the approval of the the mosque plan.
DOJ says that a certificate of occupancy “is needed immediately so that the Islamic Center can hold worship services at the new facility during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which begins at sundown on July 19.” Federal authorities have charged a Texas man with threatening the mosque. DOJ previously filed an amicus brief in support of the construction of the mosque.
