(Thumbnail Image: Ikhwano Phobia)
BY RICO BUSH
Muslims are again taking heat for wanting to build a mosque, but this one’s not in New York City. This plan for an Islamic Center near Nashville, Tennessee is causing a stir among locals and dividing the city.
CNN interviewed one opponent who says Muslims consider building the Islamic center a “victory” over America.
“This mosque that are trying to build. All it is is a training center. ... Once they get it established they’re going to have all kinds of people come in. In Islam it means we have conquered this country.“
CNN also reports some have gone as far as saying mosque leaders support killing converts.
And the controversial language doesn't end there. According to ABC News, some Christian leaders in the town say they have every right to investigate anyone under the banner of Islam.
“I’m sorry, but they seem to be against everything I believe in. And so I don't want them necessarily in my neighborhood. Our country was founded through the Founding Fathers, through the true God, the father in Jesus Christ. If construction does begin, I will also encourage contractors to boycott it and I will encourage the boycott of any contractor associated with the project.”
Knoxville NBC affiliate WBIR reports those who reject the proposed 52,000-square feet mega mosque have taken action into their own hands. Reports of arson at the construction site sparked an investigation by federal agents. The Islamic Center’s spokesperson says..
“... sheriff's investigators ‘told us they will be investigating this as a hate crime.’ [She] later said sheriff's officials ‘asked her to correct her statement,’ adding they plan to explore several different motives while investigating the apparent arson.”
The New York Times reports New York and Tennessee aren’t the only sites of “mosque mania.” Creating new or expanding existing mosques has sparked controversy in California, Wisconsin, Kentucky, and the list goes on. The Times says this is a trend we can’t ignore.
“These local skirmishes make clear that there is now widespread debate about whether the best way to uphold America’s democratic values is to allow Muslims the same religious freedom enjoyed by other Americans, or to pull away the welcome mat from a faith seen as a singular threat.”
So what do you think, is America becoming Islamophobic or are these mosque controversies isolated events just getting a lot of media attention?
