Residents hope to end violent acts against mosque

More than 100 supporters of the new Islamic Center in Murfreesboro gathered for a candlelight vigil Monday night in response to the recent vandalism of construction vehicles at the future mosque site.

Middle Tennesseans for Religious Freedom organized the impromptu candlelight vigil to reflect upon the current situation regarding the future of a mosque under construction on Veals Road in Murfreesboro. Guest speakers were selected out of those who attended; among them were residents, religious leaders of the community and members of MTRF.

"There really hasn't been much organization going on, we just put all this together over the past three days," said Layla Hantouli, a member of MTRF and one of many organizers for the event. "We didn't get a chance to plan much of this at all -  as you know, it hasn't been that long since all this violence took place."

Hantouli said that although the vigil was set up hastily, about 164 supporters signed up on Facebook and showed up to participate.

"I was really impressed with the amount of people that came out tonight to support the mosque, and not condone the violence that's been going on lately," Hantoul said. "I think it's been highly successful."

Hantouli said the vigil would serve as a reminder to those involved with the recent acts of vandalism against the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro.

"We're not backing down - those of us going to the mosque will continue to go to the mosque," Hantouli said. "Acts of violence like that, that's not how you get your point across and we're not going to sit back and let that happen."

The vigil featured guest speakers drawn out of the crowd, which included a local attorney, a rabbi, a MTSU alumna, a Catholic priest and a pagan priestess.

"It gladdens me to see the number of people that came out tonight to support the notion of peaceful, helpful and meaningful discourse in our community," said John Green, a fifth-generation Murfreesboro resident and attorney-at-law. "It is my personal belief that to be here tonight evidences a respect for everything that we as citizens of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County hold dear - the integrity, dignity and respect with which we will treat our neighbors and our friends and our colleagues."

Green, who has offered his services to the Islamic Center of Murfreesboo free of charge, also reflected on the national attention this debate has received.

"Our community is unfortunately being subjected to not only local, but regional and national negative press for the actions apparently of just a few," Green said. "That's not who we are, that's not what we stand for and that's not how we choose to live here."

Rabbi Rami Shapiro, an MTSU adjunct professor in the department of religious studies, expressed his appreciation for this event and told what it signified to him.

"It's fantastic to see a variety of religious traditions here, and a variety of traditions that are not religious," Shapiro said. "Freedom of religion, and also freedom from religion is part of [American] tradition."

Claire Rogers, a MTSU alumna and spokesperson for MTRF, called for an end to the recent behavior that prompted the candlelight vigil.

"We as individuals have the power to take control of this situation and stop such ridiculous destructive behavior," Rogers said. "We can look at the ICM and others of the Muslim faith through the eyes of mistrust and fear, as we are so often told to do, but that would only show our ignorance."

Like Green and Shapiro, Rogers also suggested that this event be a reminder that Murfreesboro should not be represented by the acts of violence to which the ICM has been subjected.

"Through human decency we can rise above the desperate nature that this issue has developed into," Rogers said. "And I think all of you coming here today and showing your support shows how much love is in this community and how this segment of our community has been overlooked - we can't stand for that."

Father Joseph Breen, former pastor of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Murfreesboro, also shared his belief in the city of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County as compassionate citizens.

"I came because I have nothing but wonderful memories of the great people of Murfreesboro, the great university we have here, and all the people that truly make this town and this city something special," Breen said. "To remind ourselves that as Americans we must always act with justice if we are to be peacemakers, we must speak up for the freedom and liberty of every person regardless of their religion."

Jess Matz, a priestess in the local pagan community, offered a closing prayer encompassing all religious faiths blessing Murfreesboro and the Muslim community. Afterward, an unrehearsed performance of "We Shall Overcome" brought the vigil to an end.

Hantouli said that while she didn't know if this event would affect public opinion about the Islamic Center's construction, it did serve a valuable purpose.

"I don't know about changing minds, but I hope that we can realize that we're all in this together and know that we're all supporting the community and non-violence," Hantouli said. "If we could have that in common, that's a really big step."