Tennessee lawmakers confused and fearful after mistaking mop sink installed in men's room for a Muslim foot-washing station



Republican lawmakers from Tennessee can breathe a sigh of relief after they have confirmed that a recently installed mop sink at the State Capitol Complex is not, as they had feared, a basin for Muslims to wash their feet before praying.

The floor-level sink installed in the men's restroom outside the House Chamber was part of a $16 million renovation to the Capitol building that was completed in December.

Two Republican lawmakers, who happened to co-sponsor a bill last year that would make certain Muslim practices a felony in the state, reportedly brought their concerns about the purpose of the basin to Senate Clerk Russell Humphrey.



Confused: Republican lawmakers from Tennessee expressed concerns that a recently installed mop sink at the State Capitol Complex was actually a basin for Muslims to wash their feet before praying

Republican state Sen. Bill Ketron confirmed to the Associated Press that he had spoken to Humphrey about whether the basin served any religious purposes after the issue was first raised by Rep. Judd Matheny.

'I just asked the question about what was the intent of that,' Ketron told the AP. 'And it satisfied my curiosity after it was presented to me.'

Matheny, however, is denying any involvement in the matter.

'I don’t know what you’re talking about,' he told the AP. 'It’s not ringing a bell.'

Humphrey confirmed that he had been approached by a House and Senate member regarding the purpose of the sink but he would not identify the lawmakers or elaborate on what they said.

Concerned: Sen. Bill Ketron (pictured) and Rep. Judd Matheny were among those reportedly concerned about the new sink

Denial: Rep. Judd Matheny (pictured) is denying any involvement in the matter, although Sen. Ketron said he first raised concerns about the sink





'There was concern about why [the sink] had been modified,' Humphrey said of the confrontation.



The new basin replaced an older mop sink that was slightly raised off the ground.



Ketron and Matheny sponsored a bill two years ago that would outlaw parts of Sharia law, the moral and religious code of Islam.



The Muslim faith requires followers to cleanse their faces, hands and feet before praying.

