By TRAVIS LOLLER / Associated Press
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) -- The Muslim holy month of Ramadan is always a joyful time for believers, but a Tennessee congregation is feeling especially blessed this year.
Opponents spent two years trying to halt construction of a new mosque for the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro. A federal judge ruled this week the congregation has a right to worship there as soon as the building is ready.
At Friday prayers in the congregation's old space, Imam Ossama Bahloul held up the court's ruling as the divine will of God and the triumph of justice.
Bahloul also said Ramadan is a time of forgiveness, and he urged the congregation to pray for those people who oppose the mosque.
He asked worshippers to "pray for the opposition to get to know us and to change their feelings."