MURFREESBORO, TN (WSMV) -
After two years of controversy, the new Murfreesboro mosque could be close to opening.
Rutherford County officials said a final inspection is expected Friday morning. If everything is up to code, occupants could move in later that day.
This news comes two weeks after a federal judged overruled an earlier decision to halt construction. The judge found that the county didn't give adequate public notice for the meeting that approved the mosque.
Mosque opponents have fought construction for two years, arguing that Islam is not a real religion deserving of First Amendment protections and that the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro has terrorist ties.
"They are going to have many hurdles, and they may want to start with not committing a forgery right off the bat this time. You have the issue that this is not a religious organization. This is a Sharia compliant training organization, nothing more and nothing less," said plaintiffs' attorney Joe Brandon.
The judge dismissed those allegations but held a trial on the narrower claim that the public meeting law was violated.
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