Tenn. Muslims hope for better community ties TENNESSEE

Worshipers attend midday prayers at the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro on Friday, Aug. 10, 2012, in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Opponents of the mosque waged a two-year court battle trying to keep it from opening. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) less Worshipers attend midday prayers at the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro on Friday, Aug. 10, 2012, in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Opponents of the mosque waged a two-year court battle trying to keep it from opening. (AP ... more Photo: Mark Humphrey, Associated Press Photo: Mark Humphrey, Associated Press Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Tenn. Muslims hope for better community ties 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

Murfreesboro, Tenn. -- Muslims said Friday that they hope the opening of their mosque after two years of controversy will be a new beginning for relations with the community, particularly their opponents.

Islamic Center of Murfreesboro members include immigrants from Iraq, Egypt, Syria and other countries, as well as American converts. Many of them said that before the opposition to their new building they had always found Murfreesboro to be a welcoming community.

"We are here 30 years, and I never had a problem with the people here," said Safaa Fathy, a member of the mosque's board of directors. "It only started two years ago."

Since the center received permission to build a mosque, its members have had to deal with protests and vandalism. Last month, a federal judge ordered that the building open in time for the holy month of Ramadan.