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WZTV FOX 17 - Top Stories
The Islamic Center of Murfreesboro held the first prayer service in its new mosque on Veals Road Friday.
Members have been fighting to open the facility for two years, facing vandalism and legal battles.
"It shows kindness and good heartedness prevails over evil," said ICM member Jihan Abdulla.
For awhile it may have looked like the building would stay empty.
Opponents successfully sued to get the project's permit revoked and use put on hold.
If a Federal Judge hadn't intervened last month the mosque might still be empty.
"Today we try to put that behind us and look at the positive," said Imam Ossama Bahloul.
Many feel the prayer service marks a fresh start including the man who started the Islamic Center 30 years ago.
Essam Fathy said it's a dream come true.
"This is a day to forgive so we're going to turn the page open a new page," said Fathy.
Not everyone is ready to move on.
Dan Qualls stood outside the mosque in the rain to show he doesn't support it being built.
"The only way to heaven is through our lord and savior Jesus Christ and that is my main message being here," said Qualls.
Qualls was the only opponent Fox 17 noticed outside the mosque but his point is one members know well.
Some in Murfreesboro still aren't happy to see such a visible sign of Islam's growth.
We hope to use it to spread good and spread awareness about Islam and education about the true Islam," said ICM member Lema Sbenaty.
Members have been fighting to open the facility for two years, facing vandalism and legal battles.
"It shows kindness and good heartedness prevails over evil," said ICM member Jihan Abdulla.
For awhile it may have looked like the building would stay empty.
Opponents successfully sued to get the project's permit revoked and use put on hold.
If a Federal Judge hadn't intervened last month the mosque might still be empty.
"Today we try to put that behind us and look at the positive," said Imam Ossama Bahloul.
Many feel the prayer service marks a fresh start including the man who started the Islamic Center 30 years ago.
Essam Fathy said it's a dream come true.
"This is a day to forgive so we're going to turn the page open a new page," said Fathy.
Not everyone is ready to move on.
Dan Qualls stood outside the mosque in the rain to show he doesn't support it being built.
"The only way to heaven is through our lord and savior Jesus Christ and that is my main message being here," said Qualls.
Qualls was the only opponent Fox 17 noticed outside the mosque but his point is one members know well.
Some in Murfreesboro still aren't happy to see such a visible sign of Islam's growth.
We hope to use it to spread good and spread awareness about Islam and education about the true Islam," said ICM member Lema Sbenaty.
Friday, August 10 2012, 09:44 PM CDT
Tennessee News
Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert at country fest
May 24, 2013 18:26 GMT
By CHEVEL JOHNSON Associated Press
NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- The sounds of country music take over the City of Baton Rouge as the Bayou Country Superfest brings some of the genre's biggest names to LSU's Tiger Stadium for a Memorial Day holiday jamfest.
Headlining Saturday are Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Darius Rucker and Aaron Lewis, the former frontman for rock band Staind. The two-day festival concludes Sunday with performances by Zac Brown Band, Luke Bryan and The Band Perry.
Festival producer Quint Davis says the talent and free fan fest held before the nightly concerts help to entice attendees. In its fourth year, the festival drew 75,000 people last year.
Visit Baton Rouge executive vice president Renee Areng says Superfest has encouraged people to travel to Baton Rouge on a traditionally sleepy weekend.
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