>> i didn't say i hate them. i'm just saying we don't need them here. >> everybody knows he's trying to kill us. and it's like we can't say it. >> post-9/11 world, we should be suspicious. >> they had the words "not welcome there" and that's a very clear sign. [bleep] get the [bleep] out of the state. >> reporter: someone in the middle of the nig doused these engines with gasoline. >> this is violent. >> we have filed a lawsuit to stop the building of the mosque. >> they can claim religion all they want. but it don't mean you're going to come in here and do this in rutheford county. >> it's my right as an american citizen to have a place of worship. (bell). >> this is kind of a small big

town. it's a beautiful place where a family can live and grow and be a part of a community. a very loving community. >> we love marthasburg. and we love it, for the most part, the way it is and the way it has been. >> it doesn't matter what religion you are, what race you are, whatever. the people here are so welcoming. >> talk tothd rez dentds of murfesville, tennessee and they'll tell you about their faith. the city has 104,000 people. more than 140 churches. and one mosque. for decades, muslims have lived

and prayed alongside their neighbors. but in june, 2010, their place in the community was questioned. exposing a growing fear of islam in america. 10 years after the attacks of 9/11. >> we, as citizens, we have families and we have children in this community. and we're trying to look out for our future. >> we thank you for your love. >> reporter: kevin fisher has lived in murfeesburro for several years. in may, 2010, kevin was stunned to discover local officials had approved plans for a 53,000 square foot islamic center in his hometown. >> neighbors were out raged that something of this nature was being basically shoved down our throats. we didn't know anything about it. a month later, the typically

sleepy county commission meeting was anything but. so many people turned up for the public hearing, authorities wouldn't let them all in. >> i'm very happy to see this many people here. >> reporter: a few residents complained about the lack of notice. >> i would respectfully ask for a public hearing again. >> reporter: virtually everyone else spoke out. >> everybody knows who's trying to kill us. and it's like we can't say it. >> and i would encourage the boycott of any contractor associate wd the project. thank you. [ applause ] >> our country was founded through the founding fathers, through the true god, the father in jesus christ. >> i'm sorry. but they seem to be against everything that i believe in. and so i don't want them necessarily in my neighborhood. >> that concludes our public comment. period. thank you very much. >> reporter: local officials refused to reconsider their

unanimous approval of the plan. ♪ god bless america >> ignore their tolerance, we know why they're here. >> we call on the county commission to halt the project of this mosque. >> reporter: among those marching against the mosque plan was prominent, local resident and real estate developer, sally wahl. >> my fourth great grandmother was first woman buried in a marked grave in rutheford county. and i think that has quite a bit to do with how you feel about what happens here in the community. >> reporter: also marching, sally's husband, howard wahl, a local power broker. >> i always thought other people marched. i didn't have to march. but who am i not to march?

i want to show my interest in my community and my country. >> reporter: here is this enormous building which is going to be occupied by people who are of the same religion that the people are we're fighting in afghanistan, who we have been fighting in iraq. >> why are they building a mosque 350,000 square feet. that is a lot of square footage. and it's going to be a very expensive thing. now, are 200 families, or 200 muslims, however many they are, how are they going to pay for it? i know when we expanded our church, we're still paying for it. >> reporter: other residents opposed to the mosque plan included ronald todd. for 93 years, todd's family owned the land sold at auction to the muslims in murfeesboro.

>> they worshipped another god. i've heard some rumors about a different law that they go by. but if i live in tennessee, i live by tennessee law. and the law of the united states of america. >> my name is lou anne. >> reporter: several local politicians seized on the i shall shoe like lou anne zelnig. >> we are joining with so many who feel that they're concerned because it is not the christians, it is not the jews that flew airplanes into the buildings. >> a strange place for a huge mosque. >> reporter: even televangelist pat robertson weighed in. >> you mark my word. if they start bringing thousands and thousands of muslims into that rural area, next thing you know, they're going to be taking over the city council. >> reporter: more suspicions were raised after proponents of

the mosque had posted this photo of the leaders of hamas. he was suspended from the mosque for two months. >> post-9/11 world, we should be suspicious of any group trying to locate to this community. >> reporter: but many in murfeesboro supported. hundreds of people of different faiths rallying in support of religious freedom. >> organized this rally in order to show support for the first amendment right of murfeesboro residents the way that they see fit. >> i think we all should be free to pra practice our religion. >> you could just see, like, in their eyes, you could see that hate. >> i didn't say to hate them.

i just said we don't need them here. >> coyou hear that? >> yes. >> reporter: the explosive fight over religion in murfeesboro was just beginning. >> ability to improve roi through seo all by cob. and you...rent from national. because only national lets you choose any car in the aisle... and go. you can even take a full-size or above, and still pay the mid-size price. i'm going b-i-g. [ male announcer ] good choice business pro. good choice. go national. go like a pro. why not take a day togood choice explore your own backyard?. with two times the points on travel,

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muslims don't believe in it, honey. >> how many muslims do you know? >> i was in the military. i've been over there. >> the fact that i've lived here for so long and i've never seen this side of anyone before. sometimes i still wake up and i'm like is this really happening? >> to have all of these people come out and openly say that we are against, you know, this religion was very shocking. >> this mosque that they're trying to build, all it is is a training center. >> i don't want anybody in there creating something that can be used to attack us. >> i know they're afraid for their country. but to label all the muslims and the muslim community in

murfeesboro in particular to be terrorists, this is nonsense. >> solas spinoti has lived in murfeesboro for 20 years. it's where he and his wife raised their two daughters and their son. >> reporter: do you feel not welcomed? >> no, to the contrary, actually. this is one of the most beautiful city in the united states. the people over here are extremely, extremely hospitable and nice. >> how do we control this place? >> salon is an engineering professor in murfeesboro. he was born in syria. >> i'm, like, banking on lab to save my grade in that class. >> reporter: his daughters are students at mtsu. both were high school valedictorians. >> there are a few other muslim students, but not very many at all. >> reporter: the spinotis say

they've always felt welcome in murfeesboro. even after 9/11. >> two days afterward, people we do not know stopped us and said please do not be afraid. we are the same. we are going to treat you in the same way. >> reporter: professor sinotti arrived in middle tennessee in 1980. their mosque was a small, one-bedroom apartment. today, there are 250 muslim families living in murfeesboro. the current mosque is often packed beyond capacity. >> it is really no place for us to pray or eat or do activities with the kids. >> people are usually praying on the sidewalk and in the parking lot. >> but they know it can be simple if we all do it together. >> reporter: pushed by the center's imam, the congress pooled their money in 2009 to

purchase a 15 acre parcel of land on the out skirts of town. it would be land for their new islamic center. >> reporter: where did you get the money from? >> we had a fundraiser and $20,000. >> reporter: in one funds raiser here in murfeesboro? >> yes, here. >> reporter: when you first walked the land, describe that feeling for me? >> it's exactly like homeless who has found the most beautiful home. around and it's a long journey. a lot of pain to get there. a lot of effort. and, finally, you are about to sit down and say, "wow. it feels good." >> their vision was to build the facility in stages. there would be a gym, a swimming pool, a cemetery and a 10,000 square foot mosque. for the younger generation of

muslims in murfeesboro, the plans represented progress. >> when you first heard about the new building being built, what was your reaction? >> we went from a one-bedroom apartment that was divided by a sheet to, you know, having this piece of 15 acre land. i hate to be cliche, but it was a dream come true. >> reporter: in november, 2009, the congress g con gre fa congress regags put up a sign with a simple but disturbing message. not welcome. >> what did it feel like when that sign had "not welcome" for someone who's lived here her whole life? >> it had the words not welcomed here. and that's a very clear sign. >> the sign company says we will make you a new sign for free. >> a second sign put up at the site.

it was cut in half eight months later. >> a disturbing preview of the days and months ahead as fear and suspicion would threaten to derail the mosque project and turn neighbor against neighbor. >> we're asking for those individuals who know who may be responsible for this crime to come forward with that information. questions. when you're caring for a loved one with alzheimer's, not a day goes by that you don't have them. questions about treatment

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. late august, ramadan. for muslims, the holiest time of the year. a time of reflection, praying and fasting. but for the muslims in murfreesboro, august, 2010 was a time of unease. their plans to build a new house of worship had produced strong opposition. members of the congregation sought answers from the imam. >> some of them were scared. some of them couldn't understand why. this is w"why" i couldn't provit for them. >> imam came from egypt to america in 2004 to lead a small mosque in irving, texas.

>> i consider myself a texan without a texan accent. >> reporter: deep in the heart of texas, he learned english. and learned that in america, freedom of religion didn't mean freedom of sus pigsz. >> i learned that i have to be careful. some people have an idea of muslims and it is not a good one. >> reporter: it was at the mosque in texas where ima imaimam osama met his future wife. >> you, shortly after 9/11, decided to convert. >> correct. >> reporter: for many people, converting to islam would be the last thing they would do. >> well, i think anyone that has ever known someone that was muslim and would hear the things that were being said, it just didn't make sense. so i picked up a book. and then i picked up another one. and another one until i read "the crime" and then i contacted

the local mosque in my area. i've had a couple of comments because i am an american muslim. some people feel like you're a trader. how could you become one of "them". >> this architect built so many mosques around the area. >> despite strong opposition, by late summer, imam osama and the other members of the congress gre gags decided to go forward with the first phase of their project, grading and leveling the land. you could have done a big ground breaking? >> we don't want someone aggravating. >> reporter: the low-key beginning did little to silence opponents who felt their concerns weren't being heard. >> i think they have a right to

expand. but the puckblic has a right to say wait a minute, there's some concerns here. >> kevin fisher who led the protest march said traffic was a big concern. >> by their own admission, they're going to draw people from all over the county. you're going to put a whole lot of new drivers in the back roads of tennessee. >> concerns were also raised about the cemetery on the site. already, one elderly muslim had been buried there. >> you have well water out there. see, according to tradition, they don't bury with a casket or a vault. >> so you're saying a kcasket with a body are change the quality of the water? >> it could, yes. >> reporter: how much of it is you just don't want a mosque in that neighborhood.

>> not one person i know or friends of mine have ever said they don't have a right to wor shin. they have a right to worship however they see fit. >> i think they're taking things, throwing it to the wall and seeing what sticks. it hasn't really stuck very well, but i think they're still trying. >> does it feel like you're in a war with islam? >> some of them, yes. there's no doubt, also, i'm very comfortable to say this. >> so you saved some of the messages? >> yes, i did. >> reporter: there were disturbing voice mails. >> tuesday, 6:27 a.m. >> muhammad [bleep] is like the rest of you queer [bleep]. >> reporter: so what did you think when you heard that the first time? >> i couldn't believe that i heard this. and that i was shocked. i would say yes.

and i wanted to go back home. this is our home. >> in late august, 2010, construction was barely underway when members of the congregation received the disturbing news. a fire in the middle of night had damaged equipment at the construction site. >> and i'm at the site and tears started to come down, you know. it's why. what did we do. >> reporter: leaders of the congregation came to assess the damage. suddenly, our interview was interrupted by the sound of gunfire. >> there's some shots fired. >> yes. yes. do you hear that?

>> murfreesboro, tennessee. police department. >> reporter: fear had replaced concern. >> they're scared. it's a terrorist act. >> i heard very loud shots coming from this way. >> all right. hang on. these fields there, we're going to go up there and check for you. >> yeah, yeah. we're going to check it out. we'll make sure we document at least your concerns. >> thank you so much. we really appreciate it. we are grateful. okay. . >> okay. all right. >> this whole issue is sad. >> let's hope it's a hunter and

it's not something that was done intentionally. i know this community. >> we don't have to be scared like this in america. this is america. what is this? people can disagree with each other kindly. but violence like this is nonsense. in is violent. it's bad. for all the people to be worried about their safety, this is sad. this is sad. this is too much. this is enough, i guess. enough, enough. >> days after the suspicious fire, imam osama addressed his congregation. >> i believe these people are poisoning this project. they do not understand the consequences they are doing. they are damaging the kids. why they are damaging the image of this country. >> protests, vandalism and now a

suspicious fire. yet, the fight over the planned islamic center of murfreesboro was just beginning. >> what we're saying to the court is they can claim religion all they want. but it don't mean you're going to come in here and do this in rutherford county. and fraudulence. i'm in deep, babe. you certainly are. [ male announcer ] fiber one. what? it's a brand-new camry. i just bought this. really? i just thought i'd take a looka. sure, you can. this malibu eco features e-assist. it offers an epa estimated 37 miles per gallon highway. this cannot be a brand-new car. what are you doing? i was looking for a cassette deck. [ male announcer ] visit your local chevy dealer today. now get a 2013 malibu eco for around $219 per month.

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we've got an update now on a united airlines jet that we told you about last hour. the flight was headed to germany from newark, new jersey and ran into trouble. susan, get us up to speed on this plane? >> well, the faa tells us that plane landed safely just after 8:00 tonight. united flight 96. and we understand from united airlines, there were 173 passengers and crew aboard that flight. the trouble started apparently right after takeoff. according to eyewitnesss around 6:30 eastern time this morning, the faa says there was a problem

with the left engine. now, a federal law enforcement spokesman tells us that their understanding is that a tire blue into that engine. however, the faa is unable to confirm that. so the flight spended about an hour and a half burning off fuel around northern nj nnl and now has landed safely. >> okay, thank you, susan. cnn "presents" continues. >> we have a $20,000 reward being offered for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of person or persons responsible for committing arson on august 28th. >> a suspicious fire had damaged equipment at a construction site of a new mosque in murfreesboro, tennessee. days lalter, the f.b.i. confirmed the worst fears. it was arson. >> somebody knows something.

>> we must speak up for the freedom and the liberty of every person. . >> reporter: while many in the community ga community gathered to condemn the arson, so opponents had a different take. >> it didn't make serns to me. >> influential real estate developer had her doubts. >> so you think it was faked? >> honestly, i do. and, of course, i might be wrong. >> reporter: to what end? >> i don't know. now, now here's one of those "they say" things. i'm told that they do that everywhere they go. to make people think everybody is against us. now, i'm not saying i think that is true. it could be. >> i think it was premature to automatically assume that it was a hate crime. but i'll tell you this, i disagree with violence.

when you start having to rely on intimidating people to get your point across, i think you lose all of your validity. >> testing, one, two, three. >> reporter: for months, kevin fisher and other opponents had tried everything to halt the construction of the 53,000 square foot islamic center. >> hey, how are you doing? >> we went through every conceivable means to ensure that our rights were upheld. the meetings at the commission, we went to petitions, we went through speaking with our representatives, our mayor. >> armed with his bull horn, fisher attended another commission meeting in september. once again, to press local officials to halt construction of the mosque. >> i'm full down here, sir. you can try downstairs. >> he's the one who told me i couldn't go in and speak. >> reporter: the meeting was so crowded, he couldn't get in. a member of the muslim community did get to speak. >> so, you see, i'm actually not very different from any of you

or your kids or your grand kids except for one thing. i was born and raised as a patriotic american muslim. on september 11th, 2001, my religion was hijacked by extremists. >> we have nothing to fear but fear itself. >> i can't listen anymore. >> reporter: frustrated, fisher walked out of the commission meeting and made a surprising announcement. >> we have filed the lawsuit to stop the building of the mosque. >> reporter: later that night, lema spinotti found herself face-to-face with lou anne zelni gurks, the congressional candidate who opposed the mosque. >> i don't understand why you all are not outraged with the rights of children and females. >> ma'am, i'm muslim. >> i think you're wonderful. i have muslims to call me.

i'm glad you vnt. but what about the others that have? >> who? who in this county that is a woman has been oppressed by anyone? >> you? are you through? >> i've never seen anyone in murfesville, any woman in murfesville, tennessee, that has been oppressed by any man that was tennessee. >> okay. would you interview her. she really wants to take over and i think that's important. >> no, go ahead. >> i think you're really important. >> true to his word, in late september, kevin fisher and three other murfreesboro residents filed their lawsuit to immediately block the construction of the mosque project. >> the lawsuit is simply seeking to do an investigation of this group to find out exactly where this group stands and whether it poses any kind of a risk to the community. >> all those having business,

please come forward and you shall be heard. >> judge, we're here on the issue of a temporary restraining order. >> reporter: the suit failed because of adequate notice. there would be a vote on the mosque plan by the county's planning commission. >> we're tauking about a 52,000 square foot facility. >> reporter: defense attorney argued that under county law, religious facilities are exempt from public hearings chlts. >> when you look at the law, they do not have a valid complaint. and they certainly are not entitled to an injunction. >> reporter: but it quickly became clear. the plaintiff attorney was going to argue that the islamic center of murfreesboro was not a religious facility because islam is not a religion. >> mr. gross, do you believe the islamic center of murfreesboro is a religious institution? >> i do not know about the center, but i know islam is practiced there. >> is islam a religion? >> in my opinion?

>> yes, sir. >> what do you base that on? >> they have a belief in a deity. and an afterlife? >> when you say an afterlife, are you talking about where you strap a bomb on your chest, blow up unsuspecting people that didn't know anything about you the day before and then -- so you get you some virtue. is that what you're calling a religion? >> it's a religion. i do not know if that's what they practice there. >> do you leave allah and god is same? >> your honor, none of this is relevant, your honor. >> you know what that says? >> allah akbar. >> several local residents took to the stand to the tlet of radical islam. >> this organization is presenting themselves as a peace-loving organization. and, in actuality, some of their leadership is radical. >> i think every law-abiding sit

zen in the united states of america should stand up against shareea law. >> sally helped fund the lawsuit. >> every time you turn on tv, every time you pick up the paper, there is a radical muslim this and terrorist that. you can't really overlook it unless you can't read and can't hear. look at europe. and i've traveled quite a bit. they have got a problem that they never dreamed of. >> reporter: in europe, various political parties have rallied against the spread of radicalist islam in their countries, leaving several european governments to pass laws limting the religious freedom of muslims, including a ban on the con sfrux of minarettes and a ban on islamic face vails.

>> reporter: in the united states, concerns about mosque projects have generated protests from new york to california. >> in islam, a mosque means we have conquered this country. >> reporter: and in middle tennessee, in the last three years, two mosques within 50 miles of murfreesboro have been targeted by hate, including one burned to the ground. >> there are other problems at other mosques. why not just not build it? >> because it's my right. it eegs it's my right as a human being and my right as an american sit zen to have a place of worship. >> do you understand people's fair? the 9/11 hijackers used religion. >> i definitely understand people's fears. but you knt possibly have this vail that covers everyone under

one religion just because of something that a few people committed. >> your honor, this is a circus, is what this is. >> inside the courtroom, the fight to halt the islamic center of murfreesboro would kont. >> why would we extend to any religion the right to cancel out the constitution for which we're founded upon. why not take a day to explore your own backyard? with two times the points on travel, you may find yourself asking why not, a lot. chase sapphire preferred. there's more to enjoy. questions. when you're caring for a loved one with alzheimer's, not a day goes by that you don't have them. questions about treatment

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mr. jordan, where are you employed? >> i'm the county commissioner. >> can you envision in your wildest dreams how something could be called a religion that promotes the abuse, physical abusz, of women? >> i wouldn't call it a religion. but i'm not the one that makes the definition of what is a religion. >> reporter: in a small courtroom in murfreesboro, tennessee, islam was on trial. >> i've been under the impression that islam has been a religion for thousands of years. whether i agree with it or not. >> if it was anyone else, you wouldn't be out here right now. >> the planned construction of a new islamic center had divided this small city. >> they should have the freedom to build a mosque here. >> opponents kplam the facility would inkreesz traffic, damage water quality and provide a foothold for radical muslims and islamic law. >> this particular case cries out for a revocation of the permit. >> lema spinotti, a muslim born

and raised in murfreesboro, attended the hearing. >>. >> you're to hangs a whip up in your house. if your wife or girlfriend does not submit, you're supposed to use the whip against her. >> they talk about coming here to america, oppressing women, torture. baetsing. do they have it wrong? >> yes, they do. a lot of things in culture have been mistaken for religion. the koran that i read has never said torture was okay for anyone. or beating women was okay. none of this is okay. >> what this is is a way of life. i am mandated as a muslim to pray 5 times. i am mandated to fast during ramadan. and i am mandated to go and do a pilgrimage.

that's law to me. >> according to muslims, it's god's word on how you're supposed to live your life. >> noah feldman is a professor at harvard. >> if you look across the muslim world, you can see a lot of difference in how customs and practice operate, among all of whom are following the sharia. in a general matter, isthe shar is equal towards women and progressive towards women. >> reporter: prominent murfreesboro resident sally wahl helped organize the lawsuit. she's convinced sharia law isn't harmless. during our conversation, she showed me a photo of a woman punished under taliban rule. >> and this is the cover of "time" magazine. >> exactly. >> she didn't have any ears, either. >> reporter: you're realistically worried it could happen here? >> it happened to her. >> reporter: in afghanistan. >> i understand.

>> reporter: there are large muslim populations in the united states already. new york city, there's a big -- >> i know that. >> there's no sharia law in new york city. >> it is creeping in. and i think it will creep in as there are more muslims coming here. because that's what they've taught. i think they should try to come into the 21st century. >> meaning do what? >> assimilate. if you would quit covering, you would find this a much easier place to live. >> reporter: obviously, i'm not abreast. i'm married to the man in the mosque. if anyone was to inflict sharian law, it would be my husband. we make the decisions here in the housz as a family. just as anyone else would do. >> reporter: should americans be worried about sharia law?

>> our country prohibits any religious system becoming the established law of our country. such a thing would be unimaginable in our country and rightly so. >> reporter: during the nine-day hearing to stop the building of the moss k? >> there are people out there that have all kinds of believes. >> reporter: 23 witnesses were called to testify. not one was a member of the murfreesboro mosque. >> if they practice sharia law, would it still be your opinion that this is a religion? >> i don't know. >> reporter: in october, 2010, in the middle of hearing, attorneys from the federal department of justice took the uncommon step of delivering a message to the judge in the case. a reminder that according to the u.s. government, islam is plainly a religion. >> we want to be allowed to ask questions. my position is how do you believe anything if you don't question it? and the issue of whether islam is a religion has never been decided.

>> reporter: i thought islam was considered to be one of the three great religions? >> can you tell me what you bass that on? >> scholars have said that. people who have studied have said that. >> well, you can find an expert to testify hell is an ice house, too. >> they can claim religion all they want. but it don't mean you're going to come in here and do this in rutherford county. >> the judge's decision would surprise both sides in the fight. wow. it's the honey, it makes it taste so... well, would you look at the time... what's the rush? be happy. be healthy. we believe small things can make wha big difference.e, like how a little oil from here can be such a big thing in an old friend's life. we discovered that by blending enhanced botanical oils into our food, we can help brighten an old dog's mind so he's up to his old tricks. it's just one way purina one is making

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by november, 2010, as the first phase of the murfreesboro

mosque continued, five miles away, a hearing to halt construction was drawing to a close. throughout the trial, plaintiff attorney joe branden tried to link the murfreesboro mosque project to jihad and sharia law. >> does it make you want to look at it with a jaundice eye? even the county's mayor, and a christian, found himself under attack. >> sharia says the united states constitution is based upon ig know rans. >> i woul not support what you just said. >> we did not approve sharian law. >> you would think that your elected officials would care more about the needs and the concerns of the community than about an entity that we know nothing about. >> plaintiff kevin fisher was hopeful the judge would stop the project. >> with all my heart and all my

thought, i believe we're doing the right thing. >> reporter: you're one hundred percent certain? >> i pray about it every night. >> reporter: how have the last nights been? >> upsetting. >> reporter: what's been the worst thing? >> the effect it's had on the children in the community. >> reporter: your daughter specifically? >> she's concerned about me wearing a scarf out in public. >> what do you tell her? >> that it's okay. that the people don't hate us. that there's maybe a few people that are not happy. >> do you think people hate you? >> no, i don't think so. i think that people don't understand what muslims are. >> the threat of sub verse sharia. >> after nine days of arguments -- >> that's hearsay, your honor. >> the judge, chancellor robert corlou, delivered his decision. >> it's our decision to deny the temporary relief. we're not privileged to render

decisions in accordance with our own opinions, whims or desires. we must follow the law. >> should you have focused on there was a lack of transparency, the commissioners did not do their job, more on that and less talk about sharia law? >> my answer to that is no. we hope today have this case ult matly before the u.s. supreme the court to make a determination of whether or not sharia law can coexist with the u.s. constitution. >> will you try to stop the construction again? >> no, we're going to continue with lawsuits. >> reporter: on what dprounds? >> i'm not sure what the grounds are going to be this time. but there will be another suit. i believe. >> these people are determined the construction of this islamic center is going to continue. >> if they build a mosque, that's their business. and their religion is their business.

but when they try to put in sharia law, and usurp my beloved constitution, than that is on the fighting side of me. >> if you are saying to me are you going to give up? no. no. if they are fighting this until the end of this, we will do it then and even more. and then we'll have something that we don't have. we'll have the constitution on our side. >> have you met the muslims in murfreesboro? >> sure. i've known muslims forever. my sister lived in saudi arabia. my brother lived in iran. yes, certainly i have. >> have you met the ones that are involved in the mosque here? >> you know, i have not. they have made no effort to get in touch with me and i have made no effort to get in touch with them. younger people think i am a bigot and i am against freedom

of religion -- >> reporter: are you? >> i'm not a bigot. >> reporter: are you against freedom of religion for muslims? >> no. >> i think we're worried about our american way of life. it would be great if the muslims would try harder to realize that. that it's not something personal against them. >> i would rather you and i sit here 20 years from now and you interview me and say, you know what, i was wrong. i was completely wrong about them. they've been wonderful and peaceful. but you know what, what if i'm right? >> reporter: look down the road 10 years. how does murfreesboro look to you? >> it's going to look like before this whole thing started. i'm really hoping that some of our opposition -- i am going to

the mosque whenever it's built and hopefully they'll see there's nothing to be afraid of. >> reporter: after two years of construction and more legal challenges brought on by the opposition, on august 10th, the muslim congregation held its first prayer service in the new mosque. >> today, we can celebrate important unity. >> it was a day for celebration. >> and reflection. >> in the beginning, we thought we would never be able to have this because of all of the opposition that we faced and all of the hatred that we face. >> reporter: the new mosque has been bimt. but opponents like kevin fisher say it's far from over. >> i think that certainly there are still a lot of issues to be dealt with. however, i do believe that this building is going to help us with that and, hopefully, in the end, you