The dispute over a Murfreesboro mosque just took a major turn Wednesday night. A federal judge says the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro can apply for a permit to open its new building just in time for Ramadan. The mosque is practically built, but a recent ruling by a Rutherford County judge prevented them from using it, even when Ramadan starts Thursday. Chancellor Robert Corlew ruled the entire project was so important the county needed to publicize it better before approving it. Corlew threw out the building permit and barred Rutherford County from letting the Islamic Center use the mosque. Wednesday Federal Judge Todd Campbell effectively over-ruled that decision, saying it violated religious freedoms because it held the mosque to a different standard than other religious institutions. It clears the way for the Islamic Center to apply for a permit to use the new building.

"The winner today is not an individual, the winner today is our National Constitution," says Islamic Center Imam Ossama Bahloul. "I wanna say to everyone, even people in opposition, we love you all and we are your neighbor."

"I'm disappointed, but I believe in our system, and the beautiful thing about America is that everybody has a right and sometimes decisions don't go your way," says mosque opponent Kevin Fisher.

The Islamic Center still has to pass inspections, and we expect that process to begin in the next few days. The U.S. Attorney for Middle Tennessee tells us if the Occupancy permit is granted, it will be difficult for any future court decision to remove it. We have much more coverage of this story on Fox17.com. Just click on the RAW NEWS section to hear the extended interviews from today. Then, tune in Thursday at 5am for TENNESSEE MORNINGS. They will have the very latest on this DEVELOPING STORY as the mosque prepares to open.Major Development in Controversial Murfreesboro Mosque Dispute