Federal authorities have launched an investigation into a fire set at the site of a future Islamic center and mosque in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, thirty-five miles outside of Nashville. The apparent arson destroyed an earth mover and damaged three other vehicles. The equipment was reportedly doused with gasoline and set on fire on Friday night or early Saturday morning. On Sunday afternoon, nine gunshots were fired near the construction site. Camie Ayash, a spokeswoman for the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro, told Channel News 5 in Tennessee that many area Muslims are now afraid to leave their homes.

Camie Ayash: “Members of the community are very scared. As I mentioned before, it’s Ramadan. We try to come together as a community in the evenings to break our fast together. Our attendance level has been very low because people are scared to leave their homes.”

The Islamic Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, has been the target of protests for months. Vocal opponents have included the Christian evangelist Pat Roberton and Tennessee’s Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, who recently suggested Islam is not a religion but a cult. Other opponents have claimed the site could be turned into a terrorist training center.