[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 81 (Friday, June 1, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E947]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      MURFREESBORO ISLAMIC CENTER

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                           HON. ANDRE CARSON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 1, 2012

  Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today saddened that yet 
another community in America is attempting to stop construction of an 
Islamic Center, this time in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
  Unlike the controversy that surrounded the construction of the 
Islamic Center near the World Trade Center Memorial, the opponents here 
cannot mask their disdain for Muslim Americans by claiming to act on 
behalf of the families of the victims of 9/11. In fact, the opponents 
have not even tried, instead letting their prejudice and paranoia 
dictate their course.
  It is ironic that these opponents contend, without any evidence, that 
Muslim Americans in Murfreesboro want to replace the Constitution, 
while they hypocritically ignore freedom of worship, a belief so 
central to our Nation it is enshrined in the 1st Amendment.
  What makes America great is our people's unshakeable love of freedom 
and a monumental history that welcomes every viewpoint, faith, and 
background. As our Nation grows and its diversity widens, we must not 
forget the values on which we were founded.
  We cannot, in one instance, celebrate freedom of expression, and in 
the next, silence those with whom our viewpoints differ. We cannot, in 
one breath, claim that all Americans are free to worship as they see 
fit, and in the next, oppose an effort to build the house of worship 
that makes exercising that freedom possible.
  Anyone can embrace freedom of expression when their viewpoints go 
unchallenged. The American way means that those who vehemently disagree 
are able to speak their views side by side and that differing faiths 
can be practiced streets apart. We must all ask ourselves--will we 
abandon our Constitutional principles when they allow others to voice 
opinions that are contrary to our own or practice a faith different 
than our own? Or will we stand up for the freedom of all Americans to 
practice their own beliefs? That is the true test of what it means to 
be American.
  The Murfreesboro Islamic Center has been facing down protests since 
2010 and is once again making headlines after a judge ruled that the 
local officials did not provide sufficient public notice under local 
law before approving the project. I know that the Muslim American 
community would want this project completed in accordance with local 
ordinances, so I fully expect they will work with officials to ensure 
the appropriate process is followed.
  Once these processes are completed, I hope that opponents will 
recognize that construction is protected by our Constitution. 
Additional vandalism and intimidation is counter to everything we stand 
for as Americans and everything that makes our country great.
  We are better than this as a Nation. Our proud history and hard-
fought principles demand more.

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