MURFREESBORO, TENN  Federal agents have been called in after someone poured flammable liquid on four pieces of construction equipment early today at the site of a planned new Islamic center and mosque just outside Murfreesboro. A CBS television affiliate is reporting that it is being investigated as arson. FAITH & REASON: A kind of terrorism? MOSQUE PROTESTS: Muslims struggle to build Carmie Ayash, a spokeswoman for the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro, said the Rutherford County Sheriff's Department was contacted around 1:30 a.m. by someone who had seen the fire. Ayash said the vandalism at the site "takes it to a whole new level." A sign on the property, off Bradyville Pike just southeast of Murfreesboro, has been damaged twice by vandals. "Everyone in our community no longer feels safe," she said. "To set a fire that could have blown up equipment and, God forbid, spread and caused damage to the neighbors there ... we really feel like this is something that we and the neighbors don't deserve. The center is planned offer a new place of prayer to replace the office suite that 250 local Muslim families have been using in a nearby office building. Hundreds of opponents to the new center packed a Rutherford County Commission meeting in mid-June to protest the Murfreesboro mosque. And when supporters of the Murfreesboro mosque held a vigil June 24 at the Rutherford County Courthouse, mosque opponents showed up. Contributing: Wire reports Guidelines: You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. Read more