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Suspicious Fire Damages Tennessee Mosque Construction Site
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - A spokesman for federal arson investigators said Sunday a fire that damaged construction equipment at the site of an Islamic center in suburban Nashville remained under investigation.
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Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives spokesman Eric Kehn said his department was working with the FBI and the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office to determine what happened at the site early Saturday morning.
"At this point, it's still an onging investigation," Kehn said. He declined to characterize the fire, which a spokeswoman for the center said appeared to have been set by someone who doused construction equipment with gasoline then set at least one truck ablaze.
Camie Ayash told the Daily News Journal the fire has frightened Muslims, who have been part of the community for decades.
"Everyone in our community no longer feels safe," Ayash said. "To set a fire that could have blown up equipment and, God forbid, spread and caused damage to the neighbors there ... When (officials) called me this morning, I started crying."
A sign marking the site of the future Islamic Center of Murfreesboro has been vandalized twice in the past several months. But Ayash said the fire "takes it to a whole new level."
The incident marks the latest twist in an increasingly volatile debate surrounding the efforts of the local Muslim community to build a much larger house of worship. The proposed center on 15 acres would include a mosque, a multi-purpose facility, sports facilities, a pavilion and a cemetery, and serve approximately 250 families.
Digging had begun at the site, located directly beside a Baptist church.
Some opposition has come from those expressing concerns about infrastructure impact and traffic, but much has also come from from those implying the mosque would be a haven for terrorists.
Ayash said Islamic Center officials were contacted by the sheriff's department around 1:30 a.m. Saturday.
She said it appeared gasoline had been poured on several pieces of equipment at the site and one vehicle was lit on fire.
"I think they lifted the hood and poured gas into the hood and set it on fire," Ayash said. "The other equipment had gasoline poured on it but was not set on fire."
Authorities working the scene did not specify whether gasoline or some other accelerant was used to start the fire that gutted the engine area of an earth hauler.
Islamic Center officials contacted the FBI and Department of Homeland Security on Saturday, according to Ayash, and sheriff's investigators "told us they will be investigating this as a hate crime."
Ayash later said sheriff's officials "asked her to correct her statement," adding they plan to explore several different motives while investigating the apparent arson.
Rutherford County resident Kevin Fisher, who has led protest efforts against the mosque on the grounds of infrastructure concerns and a lack of transparency in the county's planning approval process, issued a statement Saturday.
"We in this community believe strongly in the rule of law, and choose to settle our disagreements through peaceful deliberations and discussion, not vigilantism. ... We who stand in opposition to this mosque have made our concerns known through proper legal channels and have conducted ourselves with dignity, respect and out of a spirit of love for our community, and we will continue to do so."
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Information from: The Daily News Journal, http://www.dnj.com
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives spokesman Eric Kehn said his department was working with the FBI and the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office to determine what happened at the site early Saturday morning.
"At this point, it's still an onging investigation," Kehn said. He declined to characterize the fire, which a spokeswoman for the center said appeared to have been set by someone who doused construction equipment with gasoline then set at least one truck ablaze.
Camie Ayash told the Daily News Journal the fire has frightened Muslims, who have been part of the community for decades.
"Everyone in our community no longer feels safe," Ayash said. "To set a fire that could have blown up equipment and, God forbid, spread and caused damage to the neighbors there ... When (officials) called me this morning, I started crying."
A sign marking the site of the future Islamic Center of Murfreesboro has been vandalized twice in the past several months. But Ayash said the fire "takes it to a whole new level."
The incident marks the latest twist in an increasingly volatile debate surrounding the efforts of the local Muslim community to build a much larger house of worship. The proposed center on 15 acres would include a mosque, a multi-purpose facility, sports facilities, a pavilion and a cemetery, and serve approximately 250 families.
Digging had begun at the site, located directly beside a Baptist church.
Some opposition has come from those expressing concerns about infrastructure impact and traffic, but much has also come from from those implying the mosque would be a haven for terrorists.
Ayash said Islamic Center officials were contacted by the sheriff's department around 1:30 a.m. Saturday.
She said it appeared gasoline had been poured on several pieces of equipment at the site and one vehicle was lit on fire.
"I think they lifted the hood and poured gas into the hood and set it on fire," Ayash said. "The other equipment had gasoline poured on it but was not set on fire."
Authorities working the scene did not specify whether gasoline or some other accelerant was used to start the fire that gutted the engine area of an earth hauler.
Islamic Center officials contacted the FBI and Department of Homeland Security on Saturday, according to Ayash, and sheriff's investigators "told us they will be investigating this as a hate crime."
Ayash later said sheriff's officials "asked her to correct her statement," adding they plan to explore several different motives while investigating the apparent arson.
Rutherford County resident Kevin Fisher, who has led protest efforts against the mosque on the grounds of infrastructure concerns and a lack of transparency in the county's planning approval process, issued a statement Saturday.
"We in this community believe strongly in the rule of law, and choose to settle our disagreements through peaceful deliberations and discussion, not vigilantism. ... We who stand in opposition to this mosque have made our concerns known through proper legal channels and have conducted ourselves with dignity, respect and out of a spirit of love for our community, and we will continue to do so."
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Information from: The Daily News Journal, http://www.dnj.com
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on
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Sounds like a good chance of being a hate crime, and for what? A sterotyped or assumed association to terrorism or just plain ignorance?
Despite this being a mosque to be built, the similarities between this and the mosque near the WTC are in the religion only. This has nothing to do with what is happening in NYC, except for the possibility this is a local approach towards resentment/hate of the religious group, spurred on by the emotional wave and publicity because of the WTC site. This really is no different than the hate/race crimes perpetuated by "homegrown terrorist" groups like the KKK, to instill fear to blacks, civil rights activists, etc. The focus has seeminly now shifted to those of the Muslim faith, and for what?
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Would I fight a fire there as hard as I would at my own Baptist Church? As far as I know....Because as far as I know, this mosque does not house a radical fundamentalist group.
Why should it matter? That is like assimulating working harder to fight a fire in a prominent/wealthy area as opposed to a poor area. It shouldn't matter.
Do I support the mosque/community center near Ground Zero?
The mosque at Ground Zero has nothing to do with this incident here, why should it matter if you support the mosque at GZ or not? There have been enough threads on that as it is.
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Permalink Reply by John Flynn on
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Bust my @$$ to fight a fire for a KNOWN bunch of fanatical fundamentalists??
So if it was a bunch of fanatical fundamentalist that were Hindu, Taoist, Buddhist or Christian you would not do your job? What if they had a kids that night at the Mosque, you would let the kids die? Does this sound anything like the crazy fundalmentalist? There are many fanatics in every religion. Muslims do not have that market cornered. Think of the training video of the secondary explosive device at the womans clinic, Muslim fanatics? Or how about Timothy McVeigh and the Oklahoma City bombing, do we not do our job when the churches he belonged to burn? I understand the feelings toward Islam and the crazy bastards that did what they did on 9/11, but this is America where many have died fighting for the freedom for ALL. With the freedoms we have we need to have tolerance as well for others. It is all in the way people act toward one another. I know there is a big backlash against Mulims, so if we concentrate on the actions of people and hold them accountable for their actions, I think we can get through this.....If this was a hate crime then those people need to be held accountable regardless of religion. If the people that started this fire killed a brother while working it, would we worry about which God the arsonist choose to worship and not do what we are called to do? I am just saying.....
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Why should it matter?? Are you serious?
Yes, I am serious. It isn't in the job description of when or where one will respond or put in effort because of personal opinion or beliefs. Everyone should be receiving the same standard of care/response.
Bust my @$$ to fight a fire for a KNOWN bunch of fanatical fundamentalists??
No way in hell...
And to whom would these fanatical fundamentalists be? Since this topic is concerning quite possibly arson at a building sit for a mosque, one can deduce you may believe that you are comparing all Muslims as fanatics. Yes, you said as far as you know they aren't, but where in does your definition lie?
Comparing a fire in a wealthy area to a poor area ?? Makes no difference to me unless structural conditions dictate (duh)
Tis the analogy and comparison. By questioning/stating "Would I fight a fire there as hard as I would at my own Baptist Church? As far as I know....Because as far as I know, this mosque does not house a radical fundamentalist group"
There really shouldn't be a difference. Would you be of the same mindset if you responded to a site of say "suspected" or even just rumored without confirmation that a site could be known of a place where KKK members met? What if you have reports of kids etc, why should you be playing judge and jury to decide if you they are worth the same efforts? Is that our decision to make, or the laws? Why not have the same response you would have for one place as another?
As far as even mentioning the GZ controversy, again, it's apples and oranges except that the mosque in my area isn't 2 blocks away from the murder scene of over 3,000 Americans, including, in case you forget, 343 firefighters...A little different
Also including other Muslims, in case you forgot. Why even bring up the GZ mosque issue here? Are there not enough threads with that debate already? Despite your personal feelings, your emotions, and your belief about sensitivities, the fact remains the group wanting to put the Mosque in at GZ already own the building and are afforded the same rights and freedoms of any other American.
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Well stated.
If this was a hate crime then those people need to be held accountable regardless of religion.
I know I mentioned the hate crime issue right away, but right now I'm just going off of what is stated here and just speculating this incident may be viewed/investigated as such. Not saying that is going to happen nor even may happen, just an educated guess at this point. It is possible there may be some type of accidental cause etc, but I'm not investigating, nor even near TN, so I can state my opinion. Just the way things read, this looks to be an arson case and since arson is a crime, one could look to attach a hate crime rider to it.......IF that is what the cause is determined to be.
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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on
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John, that's a pretty wide stretch for an investigation that has barely begun.
All it takes to create this type of arson is one idiot with a match. Why generalize this to an entire local community.
"This has nothing to do with what is happening in NYC, except for the possibility this is a local approach towards resentment/hate of the religious group, spurred on by the emotional wave and publicity because of the WTC site. This really is no different than the hate/race crimes perpetuated by "homegrown terrorist" groups like the KKK, to instill fear to blacks, civil rights activists, etc. "
Prove it. If you make the accusation, the onus of proof is on you.
Generalizig this onto an entire community is no different than generalizing about Muslims or any other group simply because of how they look, how they worship, or where they are from.
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On the other hand, a fire in ANY building known to be used by extremist groups is a likely place to find explosives, secondary devices, hazardous chemicals, people with firearms, or other out-of-the-norm things that can injure or kill firefighters.
Asking anyone to "bust their ass" to aggressively extinguish the fire in that situation is unreasonable and stupid, just based on scene safety.
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No, John, you speculated and generalized. How about waiting until there is some evidence that this actually was some kind of hate crime before throwing out inflammatory speculation?
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I figured you wouldn't be able to hold back from this Ben.
On the other hand, a fire in ANY building known to be used by extremist groups is a likely place to find explosives, secondary devices, hazardous chemicals, people with firearms, or other out-of-the-norm things that can injure or kill firefighters.
Absolutely, IF it is known or reasonable speculation, vs opinions and even rumors. My point to Jim was in retort to his remark about "Because as far as I know, this mosque does not house a radical fundamentalist group".
Well really do we truly know at times or are things speculated because of fear, emotions, ignorance, etc? Point is his own church could be a host site for the KKK or some radical group as well, would we really know for sure?
Look at any number of different cults out there from Jonestown to Heaven's Gate. Some can be speculated as being fanatical etc, whereas some are passed off as eccentric, but harmless. Many people with a typical life, do get caught up in such things and sometimes even their own families don't know what goes on, so why couldn't the same thing occur under one's own nose?
Point is that if there is some reasonable speculation of fanatical issues going on, and by this I mean reasonable intelligence from law enforcement and not someone's personal opinion, then there is a good reason to see what is going on. Whereas, there is a difference because one may speculate there may be something fanatical associated with a site, but is based in unsubstantiated rumor, then it becomes a personal opinion.
Asking anyone to "bust their ass" to aggressively extinguish the fire in that situation is unreasonable and stupid, just based on scene safety
I agree. The point becomes though what is the determining factor and hence the reason for the wealthy vs poverty question. The situation itself should be the determining factor, not personal opinion.
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Hence the reason I stated "good chance"
This was my first post on this topic and was in a response to the GZ mosque. Number one reason is to inquire as to why that topic needs to be hashed out again on another thread. Second reasoning for mentioning is the GZ mosque and this are only relative to the religion being represented.
Prove it. If you make the accusation, the onus of proof is on you.
Generalizig this onto an entire community is no different than generalizing about Muslims or any other group simply because of how they look, how they worship, or where they are from.
No Ben, you decided to pick and choose without reading all the responses. I clearly stated in my response to John that I was speculating and that everything I mentioned was an educated guess and in no way am I saying this is what happened. I meerly voiced an opinion, of which I covered that aspect as well.
Again I'm not accusing, just mentioning the possibility. If I were accusing I would be something to the effect that "this incident occurred because of the issue at GZ" hence the word POSSIBILITY. It is not an accusation but meerly an opinion and educated guess. Could I be wrong? Absolutely.
Now, because I'm sure you want to know, my reasoning for stating this "educated guess" is the coincidence of occurrance. Another disclaimer...please read. (I am NOT a lawyer, I have no schooling in law, I have no training in law, and I am only again making an educated guess here.)
You have several weeks of coverage about the mosque at GZ which has led to many opinons and debates, heated or otherwise. The local NYC topic became a national news headline covered quite extensively from everyone weighing an opinion from the POTUS to the grade school kid. Since the debate has been going on you have seen more incidents of animosity and or ignorance/emotion sprouting up like the proposed Quaran burning in FL. Of the nine years since 9/11, you did not see as much focus on the general Muslim community since the GZ mosque came to light.
So NOW, you have construction equipment which (while not confirmed and other causes not ruled out) is burned in a possibly intentionally set fire. Again not a lawyer, but an intentionally set fire typically relates to arson. Since arson is a crime, if this was arson, given the circumstances involved, I could see a prosecuter/civil rights group pushing for a hate crime kicker. This was the reason for my guess and if this story is covered on we could see if my guess was right or wrong. Since I'm not accussing and just speculating, I have nothing to prove.
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No, John, you speculated and generalized.
As I clearly stated.
How about waiting until there is some evidence that this actually was some kind of hate crime before throwing out inflammatory speculation?
What about the issue of voicing an opinion?
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