Vigil In Support of Mosque Near Murfreesboro Draws 150 People

August 31, 2010

Author: Bob Smietana

Source: The Tennessean

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20100831/NEWS01/8310344/Vigil-in-support-of-mosque-near-Murfreesboro-draws-150-people

Mark West believes in freedom of religion.

That belief brought West out Monday night to a candle light vigil in support of local Muslims in front of the Rutherford County Courthouse.

It also inspired the lifelong Baptist to make a donation to the building fund for a new mosque near Murfreesboro.

"I'm going down to Islamic Center of Nashville tomorrow and make a $100 donation," West said Monday night. "One hundred bucks is hard to come by these days, but it's a statement."

West was among about 150 people who attended Monday's night's vigil, organized in response to the recent fire at the construction site for the new mosque. Many in the crowd held candles or signs proclaiming such messages as "We're all in this together" and "My God is not a bigot." They also joined in singing "We Shall Overcome."