Mosque opponents take fight higher

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Opponents of a mosque in Murfreesboro, Tenn., are pledging to take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court after Tennessee justices declined to take up the case.

The attorney for the mosque opponents, Joe Brandon, told The Tennessean there are multiple unresolved issues in the case that require review. Brandon cited whether it went against a basic court doctrine when defendants got a federal court to halt a state court’s ruling in the case.

Neighbors of the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro have been arguing in court for three years that the construction approval was illegal. They say there was insufficient public notice for the planning commission meeting where the approval occurred.

Mosque spokesman Saleh Sbenaty applauded the Tennessee court’s rejection of the case, saying the challenge has no merit.