Islamic Center of Murfreesboro vandalized again

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WDEF) – Mary Mancini, chair of the Tennessee Democratic Party, released the following statement on the the vandalism of the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro:

“The vandalism at the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro is inexcusable and cannot be tolerated. We’re all Tennesseans – no matter who we are, what we look like, or where we live – and everyone who makes this state their home should feel safe to worship as they wish without being harassed. The Tennessee Democratic Party condemns this and any attacks on people of any religion and calls on all leaders in this state to make it clear that there is no place for this type of persecution in our society.”

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) – A Tennessee mosque that has been the subject of years of controversy and vandalism has been defaced again.

The Islamic Center of Murfreesboro’s spokesman Salah Sbenaty tells media that the incident occurred overnight Sunday.

Green graffiti messages with expletives were spray-painted on a side door, on the back of the building and on an outdoor basketball court.

Messages were spelled out using bacon, and bacon was wrapped around an exterior door. Muslims don’t eat pork.

A small facility housed the center before a county judge approved construction on a new one in May 2010.

Opponents sued the county to try to halt construction, but the facility opened in August 2012.

The center has endured public protests, vandalism, arson of a construction vehicle and a bomb threat.

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*Photo from Nashville CBS News