DOJ sues to open Tenn. mosque

Associated Press ^ | Jul 18, 2012, 5:11 PM EDT | TRAVIS LOLLER

[Hunton Peck]

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Federal prosecutors are asking a judge to force a Tennessee county to allow a Muslim congregation to begin worshipping in its newly built mosque, which has faced a strong opposition from a group of residents.

The U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division and Islamic leaders in Murfreesboro filed separate lawsuits Wednesday against Rutherford County seeking an emergency order to let worshippers into the building before the holy month of Ramadan starts at sundown Thursday.

In May, a Rutherford County judge overturned the county's approval of the mosque construction and this month he ordered the county not to issue an occupancy permit for the 12,000-square-foot building. A judge was holding a hearing on the suits in federal court in Nashville on Wednesday afternoon.

***

Mosque attorneys argue the issue is urgent because the congregation's current 2,100-square-foot mosque is severely overcrowded, with worshippers regularly forced to stand outside in the parking lot, unable to hear the prayer services.

***

Mosque leaders have said the Islamic center, which has existed for 30 years, serves about 250 local families as well as about 500 students who attend nearby Middle Tennessee....

The new building has been under construction since shortly after it was approved in May 2010....

The suit claims that if worshippers are not allowed use of the new building, they will suffer a significant loss of First Amendment rights.

"Ramadan is the most holy month of the Muslim calendar, when religious observance and mosque attendance is at its highest," the suit states. "Without access to the new mosque, many members of the community will be prevented from worshipping during Ramadan due to overcrowding."

Besides asking a judge to allow mosque members to use their new building, the lawsuit also seeks an unspecified amount of damages and court costs.

[Hunton Peck]

Earlier story: Judge's ruling stops construction of Tenn. mosque (from 5/29/2012)

Holder's DOJ aiding an invasion once again.

At least they're consistent...

[exit82]

What happened to separation of church and state? /s

[GeorgeWashingtonsGhost]

Are there any pig farms in the area? Hehehe..

[SkyDancer]

I wonder what would have happened in 1942 if the DOJ sued to have a Japanese temple opened, anywhere.

[KittenClaws]

Perhaps some entrepreneur can open a bbq restaurant across the street. Specializing in Pulled Pork and Baby Back Ribs.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Excerpt from "The Audacity of Hope" by Barack Hussein Obama [pg. 261]: Of course, not all my conversations in immigrant communities follow this easy pattern. In the wake of 9/11, my meetings with Arab and Pakistani Americans, for example, have a more urgent quality, for the stories of detentions and FBI questioning and hard stares from neighbors have shaken their sense of security and belonging. They have been reminded that the history of immigration in this country has a dark underbelly; they need specific assurances that their citizenship really means something, that America has learned the right lessons from the Japanese internments during World War II, and that I will stand with them should the political winds shift in an ugly direction.

[blues-train]

Difficult to imagine Holder/DOJ aiding a Christian congregation prior to Christmas if a county building department refused to issue an occupancy permit.
When will this BS stop?!

[CedarDave]

as well as about 500 students who attend nearby Middle Tennessee State University.

No doubt lots of indoctrination going on there. Wouldn't be surprised if more than a few future radicals emerge from there.

[B.O. Plenty]

I wonder if we get to sue Holder if one of these lunatic “worshipers” kills an infidel?

[2ndDivisionVet]

[GeorgeWashingtonsGhost]

Hey Mr. Holder, what about the Catholic churches’ First Amendment rights when it comes to your forcing contraceptives and abortion upon them?

[CedarDave]

Difficult to imagine Holder/DOJ aiding a Christian congregation prior to Christmas if a county building department refused to issue an occupancy permit. When will this BS stop?!

There's a Christian preacher in San Diego who is sitting in jail because he continued to hold home bible studies in a backyard building in defiance of county/city orders prohibiting occupancy. Don't see Holder/DOJ coming to his defense.

[himno hero]

at what point will the people and their government recognize that islam brings in tow its own constitution which DEMANDS the supplantation of existing government and installation of islam and its sharia?

the DOJ and obama know better and is foisting islam on the nation.....

[KittenClaws]

LOL!

The City should immediately issue permits for just such an establishment! To do otherwise would violate the rights of restaurateurs.

[353FMG]

Separation of church and state perhaps, but there is no separation of islam and state in today’s USA.

[himno hero]

for islam? they have their own state which they want to implement globally.

Obama knows this and is in there like a dog smelling a bitch in heat. He is all for it!

Imagine his conquest! He will be the greatest Ghazi of all times, and to this point without firing a shot.

FUBO

[Foolsgold]

[G Larry]

Are there any current DoJ actions intended to UPHOLD the Constitution?

The only actions I’m aware of are directed at UNDERMINING the Constitution, State’s Rights, and the Bill of Rights.

[GreyHoundSailor]

Never a single word about the dangers posed to others by Muslims during Ramadan. Every Embassy or Consulate in a Muslim country will warn US citizens about the dangers during this time of year, but not a peep from the idiots in the media here.