MURFREESBORO, Tenn. —
Federal prosecutors are ready to take criminal action related to a mosque under construction in Rutherford County that's been hit by arsonists and vandals and opposed in court.


U.S. Attorney Jerry E. Martin scheduled a news conference for Thursday afternoon at the building site of the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro. Agents from the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also will attend.


Officials from those federal agencies declined to release more details before the announcement.


Fierce opposition to the mosque arose in 2010 after Rutherford County approved a proposal to construct a center for Muslims who have been worshipping elsewhere in the county for years.


A judge recently voided the county's approval for construction, ruling there wasn't sufficient public notice of the meeting that took up an issue of "significant public interest."


County officials are appealing that ruling but in the meantime the court has prohibited them from issuing the occupancy permit that would allow the Islamic center to be used. After 1 1/2 years of construction, mosque leaders had hoped to move into the 12,000-square foot multipurpose building before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins at the end of July.


Martin jumped into that legal battle to rebut claims made in court that Islam isn't a recognized religion entitled to civil rights protections. His office filed a brief that confirmed Islam is a recognized religion. He said at the time that to suggest otherwise was "quite simply, ridiculous."


The ATF and FBI have been investigating a 2010 fire involving construction equipment at the building site as arson. A $20,000 reward was issued for information leading to an arrest, and FBI agents said once suspects were identified the investigation would look into whether it was a hate crime against Muslims.


Via: http://www.ktvu.com/ap/ap/crime/feds- ... n-over-tenn-mosque/nPbpM/