It’s Official: Feds Declare TN Mosque Site Fire An Arson
TPM:
Federal authorities have officially declared the fire at the site of a community center and mosque near Murfreesboro, Tenn., an arson.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said today that an accelerant was definitely used in the torching of construction equipment at the site last Saturday morning. The agency is offering a $20,000 reward leading to an arrest.
Authorities told the Tennessean that they cannot rule the arson a hate crime until they have a suspect.
Note also that previously vandals spraypainted the sign with “Not Welcome” and broke it in half on yet another occasion.
From the WaPo:
The Islamic Center of Murfreesboro has outgrown its current rented space in an industrial park. Members got approval to build a new mosque in May. Since then opposition to the building has made international news, with some opponents saying they fear Muslims want to overthrow the U.S. government.
One mosque leader, Essam Fathy, has speculated that the perpetrator is not from the area and that new attention has been drawn to the Tennessee project by the ground zero dispute. Members of the Murfreesboro mosque say they have lived and worshipped in the community for years and never caused any problems.