Tennessee Mosque Controversy: Judge Stops Construction

Muslim community is shocked over judge's ruling

A judge has halted construction on a Tennessee mosque sparking more controversy in the already much talked about case, according to CNN.

Chancellor Robert Corlew ruled Tuesday that plans for the new mosque, previously approved by a planning commission, are now "void and of no effect."

Corlew said that the commission violated state law by not providing public notice. The mosque's completion date, which was scheduled to be in July, is now up in the air.

"Everyone is really shocked, many people are crying about this," Imam Ossama Bahloul, leader of the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro (ICM), said Wednesday.

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"We did exactly what other churches in the county did," he said. "We followed the same process that other churches did. Why did this happen? Some people feel like it is discrimination."

Bahloul said construction will go on until they receive an order to stop.

The Islamic Center of Murfreesboro has existed for more than a decade. The creation of a new mosque in another area sparked mass backlash, including a fire that destroyed construction equipment at the mosque. 

A sign announcing the mosque was spray-painted with the words "Not Welcome."

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