Ex-Rutherford Co. GOP Chair Lou Ann Zelenik (R) called for an investigation into the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro, as she said the center is secretly pursing a "radical agenda" based on online postings. Zelenik, in a statement: "Information have been uncovered which calls into serious question the goals and activities of at least one board member of the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro, and also a disturbing pattern of intimidation."

Zelenik said she sent her suspicions to local elected officials reviewing the Islamic Center's plans to build a new mosque, social hall and gym just south of Murfreesboro. She said her allegations were based on a report sent to her by DC-based journalist Steven Emerson, and include undated Myspace postings from center board member Mosaad Rawash that she said prove the mosque is connected to terrorist orgs. The center has suspended Rawash from the board "until it could investigate the matter."

The postings "consist of a picture of the site's author at a Muslim summer camp, an illustration of two former Hamas leaders and statements written in Arabic and English that the report says express support for Palestinian terrorists." Zelenik added that the site "had previously shown Rawash alongside Islamic militants," but when pressed to provide a copy of the picture, Zelenik "ended the interview."

Rawash said he was unaware of her claims, and said his MySpace cite had been inactive "for some time." The postings were removed from his profile by 7/13 (Sisk, Nashville Tennessean, 7/14).

Zelenik, meanwhile, is running ads on websites that feature a picture of militants with the phrase, "Stand with Lou Ann against Muslim Extremists" below it. A "Donate" button is just below that (Lind, "Post Politics," Nashville Post, 7/14).