MURFREESBORO, TN - Middle Tennesseans for Religious Freedom will hold a rally at the Rutherford County courthouse on Thursday, September 16 at 5 p.m., prior to a meeting of the newly elected Rutherford County Commission, in support of the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro’s First Amendment rights.

Members of Middle Tennesseans for Religious Freedom (MTRF), are scheduled to speak during the commission meeting to voice their support for the expansion and relocation of the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro,  their opposition to the violent and intimidating turn the discussion has taken, and their approval of the action taken by the County Commission.

Several members of MTRF and community leaders will address those gathered with words of support  before moving inside the courthouse. MTRF has attempted to address the commission at prior meetings, but the organization is guaranteed speaking time during Thursday’s general comment period.

All are welcome to attend, and reminded to bring chairs, water and snacks as needed. Attendees are also encouraged to bring respectful and relevant signs of support.

MTRF is a grassroots organization made from the great diversity of Middle Tennessee. MTRF is organized by Murfreesboro residents of all backgrounds and faiths to stand with the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro on their right to build a place of worship which is large enough to support their needs. The organization sees no difference between the plans for the Islamic Center’s expansion and the dozens of equally large Christian churches here in Murfreesboro.

For more organizational information, please visit www.facebook.com/midtnrf.

MURFREESBORO, TN - In response to the arson of construction equipment at the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro’s future site, Middle Tennesseans for Religious Freedom will hold a candlelight vigil in front of the Rutherford County courthouse on Monday, August 30 at 7 p.m.

The Islamic Center of Murfreesboro (ICM) was alerted by the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office to the arson around 1:30 a.m. Saturday morning, according to reports from the Daily News Journal. The matter is currently being investigated by the Sheriff’s department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Middle Tennesseans for Religious Freedom (MTRF) hopes the vigil will remind community members to remain peaceful in the course of the debate over the ICM’s relocation, regardless of their personal opinions on the issue. MTRF encourages everyone who is in favor of treating our neighbors with respect and without violence, even those who oppose the ICM’s relocation, to come out and show their opposition to the arson and other tactics of intimidation.

“MTRF supports the constitutional rights of the ICM in seeking a worship space which suits their growing needs, but more importantly, we support the members of the ICM as our neighbors, coworkers, fellow citizens and friends,” said Claire Rogers, spokesperson for MTRF.  “These acts of vandalism were meant to scare Members of our community, and it is apparent they succeeded in that end.”

“We simply cannot allow the actions of a few destructive individuals to go overlooked by Rutherford County residents. It’s truly a shame that we have reached this point, but it is up to us to ensure the intimidation goes no further,” Rogers said.

The debate over the ICM’s relocation has become increasingly heated in recent weeks, with members of both support and opposition groups becoming victims of slander, physical threats and emotional intimidation. MTRF believes this  behavior is unacceptable and urges individuals to remember their humanity when dealing with this emotional, yet strictly political, issue.