VOL. 87 NO. 05
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2010
LGBT fraternity to form on campus By ASHLEE GRAY Contributing Writer
Photo by Jay Bailey, photo editor
Supporters of the new Islamic Center of Murfreesboro raised peace signs into the air Thursday as opponents discussed why the community center should not be built during the Rutherford County Commission meeting last
Mosque leader reacts Imam explains center’s absence in protests By JORDAN BRIEN Contributing Writer
Just days after the Rutherford County Commission meeting Thursday, Imam Ossama of the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro voiced support for First Amendment rights and said it was one of the reasons he loved America. Ossama said he supports the local community’s right to protest construction of the new Islamic Center and is glad to see that freedom of speech actually exists, but he said he feels the center should not get officially involved with the protests because he wants to remain peaceful. “We are comfortable here and will reside in peace,” Ossama said. “To our opponents, the door is always open.” The center will replace the current mosque that has been in Murfreesboro for more than 30 years. The current mosque, at about 3,000 square feet, only houses a small portion of its members, Ossama said. The new mosque, proposed to be 52,000-square-feet will include a 6,800-square-foot multipurpose room for praying and holding social events. Ossama said members know the opposing side is a very small group of residents, and that they appreci-
ate the local supporters and counter-protest efforts designed to show the positive side of the argument. Aaron Shapiro, an instructor of religious studies in the philosophy department, said he believes religious freedom is a core democratic value and Muslims deserve the same right to worship as any other American citizen. Layla Hantouli, a member of the Islamic Center, said she converted to Islam three years ago and is taking the protests personally. “Walking down the street, people yell at me to go home, and look at me strange because of my head scarf,” Hantouli said. Saleh Sbenaty, an engineering technology professor in the College of Business, said he believes the protests could have been part of a healthy debate if it was not for the hate messages that protestors have shouted in the past. “When Muslims are labeled as terrorists, and accused of crimes that they have never committed, the freedom of expression turns into an organized hate campaign against Islam,” said Sbenaty, who serves as chair of the center’s planning committee. MOSQUE, PAGE 3
Constitution Week informs about Americans’ rights By JOSHUA M. WARD Staff Writer
Student organizations gathered outside of the Keathley University Center last week to hand out shirts, give political quizzes, and encourage students to register to vote in celebration of the 223rd anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution. The American Democracy Project, Young Americans for Liberty, Printer’s Proof and student musicians volunteered to inform students about the Constitution, their rights and their responsibilities as citizens, as part of MTSU’s Constitution Day celebration. Volunteers from the Democracy Project set up a table outside of the KUC with a mock Constitution for
people to sign, and many students decided to show up with their own John Hancock’s. “[Students] can come up here and sign that they still agree with the Constitution,” said Andrew King, a junior majoring in public relations and member of the Democracy Project. “It’s pretty much one universal thing all Americans can agree on – no matter what their political beliefs are.” King said he felt the primary objective was to get students excited and involved with their civic duties, something that he said many young people don’t exercise much these days. “We want to light a fire in people’s hearts and get them involved in govern-
Opinions: SPORTS page 4 FEATURES pages 5, 6 OPINIONS page 7
Appreciate military veterans’ sacrifice despite political views page 7
ment,” King said. “We want to get more people out voting, and whether they are Republican, Democrat, Independent, or whatever, we just want them to understand that they need to be involved in the political process.” To follow through with their goal of getting more students to vote, members of the Democracy Project set up with voter registration forms. “[We’re] getting people registered to vote, giving them a change of address if they need to, and if they’re in Rutherford County, we can mail it out for them,” said Carlin Stinson, a sophomore majoring in nutrition. “We’re making progress, and they can feel like they’re making a difference.”
ternity life and scholAn LGBT Fraterarship, acnity is slated to join the cording to MTSU campus with the the Greek support of students and organiThomas the administration. z a t i o n ’s Brandon Thomas, a nationa l junior majoring in powebsite. litical science, said he has As of right now, been interested in starting there is only one chapup an LGBT-only frater- ter, the Alpha Chapter nity for quite some time. in Arizona. “It would give memThomas said he looked bers a place to hang for a fraternity that out and serve the com- would accommodate munity fraternally,” him. However, he wanted Thomas said. “This fra- to join a fraternity that ternity will serve as an not only allowed gay organization for men men, but also, accepted who want to be Greek transgender men. but are not comfort“When I was looking able in a heterosexual around for fraternities environment.” I wanted an allowance The new fraternity of transgender men,” would be called Sigma Thomas said. “A gay alPhi Beta and focus on fra- lied fraternity is open ternal values, including to everyone.” brotherhood, scholarship, leadership, education, fraFRATERNITY, PAGE 3
NPR reporter to visit campus By AMANDA HAGGARD Contributing Writer
Nina Totenberg, a reporter for National Public Radio, will be on campus Wednesday as part of MTSU’s Constitution Week to speak about how justice has evolved in the U.S. Supreme Court throughout her more than 30 years of journalism experience covering the Judicial Branch. Totenberg’s lecture titled “Establishing Justice: The New Supreme Court” is slated to begin at 4:30 p.m. in the Tucker Theatre, and the event is free and open to the public. “Ms. Totenberg’s experience and intelligent interpretation of the nation’s highest court will provide insight and perspectives to further our study,” said Mary A. Evins, an associate professor of history, in an MTSU press release. Totenberg has won many journalism awards in broadcasting, such as the National Press Foundation Award for Broadcaster of the Year, and the 2010 Edward R. Murrow Award, which is given by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. “The national call to form a more perfect union and establish justice commences the U.S. Constitution,” Evins said. “Justice and the American court system frame Constitution Day activities this year, and [her] experience and intelligent interpretation for the nation’s highest court will provide insight and perspectives to further our study.”
CONSTITUTION, PAGE 3
Brandon Flowers, lead singer for the Killers, releases strong new solo album SUNNY NO CHANCE OF RAIN HIGH 94, LOW 64