The U.S. Department of Justice has weighed in on the mosque controversy in Tennessee, warning those opposed to mosque construction in Murfreesboro that denying civil rights is a federal offense.

"Although this is presently a local matter, the U. S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Tennessee vigorously support the decision of the Rutherford County Regional Planning Commission and the Board of Commissioners in approving the site plans and authorizing construction of a mosque and Islamic center," said U.S. Attorney Jerry E. Martin in a release.

In May, the Rutherford County Regional Planning Commission approved site plans for new facilities for the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro on 15 acres the center purchased. The buildings include a 10,000 square foot center including a mosque, a school, a pool and a gym. The property will also contain a pavilion and a cemetery.

Some local residents protested the plan and demonstrated near the site. In August, vandals poured gasoline on construction vehicles and set one vehicle on fire. The FBI is investigating that incident as a possible hate crime.

In September, four people describing themselves as landowners and residents of Rutherford County, sued the county planning commission and numerous county officials, claiming that officials did not give residents sufficient notice of the planning commission's meeting and that Rutherford County, by approving the Islamic center has caused these residents to be "irreparably harmed by the risk of terrorism generated by proselytizing for Islam and teaching the practices of Sharia law."

The suit claims that, if local authorities realized what the Muslims building the mosque intended, they would not consider the Islamic organization a religion.

The federal government reacted to these sentiments.

"A mosque is quite plainly a place of worship, and the county rightly recognized that it had an obligation to treat mosques the same as churches, synagogues, or any other religious assemblies.  This is not only common sense; it is required by federal law.  The Justice Department is committed to protecting rights of Americans of all faiths to build places of worship and to worship in peace," said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights.  

Attempts to reach the four plaintiffs by telephone were unsuccessful, one phone being disconnected, another ringing without an answer and two phone numbers unattainable.

To contact the editor, e-mail: