Mosque Building a Hot-Button Issue in Many Towns

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  Salim Sbenaty, a 13-year-old Muslim American from Murfreesboro, Tenn. (CBS)

(CBS) There are 2.5 million Muslims in the United States - and about 1,900 mosques around the nation. But building a mosque has suddenly become a hot-button issue in many communities, reports CBS News correspondent Seth Doane. That's certainly the case in the middle Tennessee town of Murfreesboro, where -- like most 13-year-olds -- Salim Sbenaty says he's proud of his school, his soccer trophies and his country. "I'm as American as you get, I'm as patriotic as you get," Sbenaty said. "I'm American all the way." (Scroll Down to Watch the Video)

He's also proud of his religion. Sbenaty is Muslim, and nowadays the Tennessee town that has been his family's home for nearly 20 years doesn't feel the same. "I'm always afraid for my mom because there are always a few stupid people out there and you never know what they're going to do," he said. "And my mom wearing that scarf - is a symbol of saying, 'hey, I'm Muslim.'" About 250 Muslim families live in Murfreesboro. They've lived in peace and prayed at a small mosque. Then trouble started brewing over the site where they want to expand and build a bigger Islamic center. In June, residents packed meetings in protest. "If construction begins I would encourage contractors to boycott it," said one resident. And what some call a "vocal minority" got louder. "They want to make this instead of one nation under God - America," said Larry Anderson, a Murfreesboro Tennessee resident. "They want to make this one nation under Islam." A few weeks ago, construction equipment at the site was set on fire. With that, the arsonist set nerves on edge too. Salim's dad says even after 9/11 he didn't see hatred like this. "If you cut yourself, in a while everything is going to heal and go back to normal," said Salim's dad Saleh, a computer engineering professor. "But it's very hard for me to forget what I've heard, directed toward me, from people who don't know me." Nationwide more than half-a-dozen proposed Islamic centers have run into roadblocks from Temecula, Calif., to Sheboygan, Wis., to the high profile one near ground zero. It's about more than just a building. "It's about the growing hatred of Muslims," said Salim's 20-year-old sister, Dima. She says for the first time she's scared. "It is very disappointing, it really is, because this country was founded on freedom of religion," said Dima. Across town, 10-year-old Zaid Abuzahra probably had more on his mind than just going back to school. Last week at recess, some bullies learned that he was Muslim. "This group comes and starts calling me terrorist," said Abuzahra. "This is America. It made me feel awkward, sad. It was surprising." A surprise to many here who watch the news and wonder. "It makes me feel sad cause the First Amendment - ever since I was little and had to memorize it," said Abuzahra. "Freedom of religion - it says it." In that First Amendment, another right - freedom of speech - which for some, just harder to hear.

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9 Secrets to Keep Kids Safe on the School Bus

It's back-to-school time, and for many kids that means back on the bus. Experts say the school bus is by far the safest way for kids to get to school. Between 1994 and 2004, there were only 71 bus passenger deaths, according to WebMD. During the same period, traffic accidents involving cars and light trucks racked up almost 32,000 deaths. But that doesn't mean the bus is risk-free. Here are nine safety tips from the New York Governor's Traffic Safety Committee. Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-204_162-10004768.html?tag=mGalleryBottom;mGalleryUL#ixzz0z69uth72

Look Three Ways

Your child knows to look both ways before crossing the street, but three ways? Turns out the best advice is to look left, right and then left again just to be double safe. Make sure your child knows the new rules.

Take Big Steps Off the Bus

When children get off the bus, they should take five giant steps out the bus door and out of the bus's danger zone. Make sure to warn your child.

Don't Run Between Parked Cars

It's hard to tell if a parked car is about to move - and that goes double for young children. Make sure the kids take it easy in the parking lot or anywhere else cars are parked.

Never Bend Down Near the Bus

If your child drops something or has to tie his/her shoe, it's tempting to drop down and take care of business. But that could be a dangerous move if the bus is nearby. Bus drivers sit high up and may be unable to see a child who is crouched down. And make sure your child knows it's an absolute no-no to go under the bus to grab something.

Never Go Back for Something Left on the Bus

If you forget something, your first instinct is to go back and get it. But that could be a bad move where kids and school buses are concerned. The driver may already have his/her eyes on the road and may not be looking for a child who is darting toward the bus.

Make Eye Contact with the Driver

Does your child need to cross the street after getting off the bus? Make sure he/she knows to make eye contact with the bus driver after getting off the bus. The driver should give the go-ahead signal when the coast is clear.

Don't Run Across Street to Catch Friends

Every kid is excited to see friends, but make sure that excitement doesn't turn dangerous. Tell your child not to run across the street or across a parking lot to catch up with buddies. Another minute or two of waiting isn't going to hurt anyone.

Look to Back of Bus for Oncoming Cars

Drivers aren't supposed to pass a stopped school bus, but that doesn't mean they always follow the rules. One way to see oncoming cars is to look out the rear window of the bus before getting off. Let your child know that's the way to go.

Watch Out for Backpacks, Sweatshirts

Almost every kid has a backpack, and lots of kids love to wear comfy sweatshirts. Turns out, both can have drawstrings or cords that can easily get caught in the bus door or railing.If your kids are packing packs, tell them to pay attention when getting off the bus.

'Sex with Wayne Rooney was a little seedy,' complains £1,200-a-night prostitute Juci Jeni (who likes getting her teeth into things)

She describes herself as a party girl who always drinks in style but who is Catholic and a 'family person'.

This is Jennifer Thompson, the prostitute at the centre of the latest footballer sex scandal after selling her story about her sordid liaisons with Wayne Rooney to a national newspaper.

The 21-year-old claims she slept with the footballer seven times over a period of months - often meeting him under the noses of team-mates.

Blood-sucker, moi? Jeni has, shall we say, something of an exhibitionist streak

WAG wannabe: Prostitute Jennifer Thompson poses in sunglasses and a short dress (left) along with a footballer's wife-style designer bag

However, despite charging him up to £200 an hour she has the cheek to describe sex with him as seedy and she takes the moral high ground over the fact that Rooney was with her when his wife Coleen was pregnant with their first child.

So it is no surprise to learn that she aspires to be a glamour model.

On her My Space page, writing under the name Juicy Jeni, Thompson lists an interest in 'laungerie'.

Good time girl: But Jennifer Thompson said she was shocked when Wayne Rooney allegedly invited her to the marital home

She describes herself as 5ft6"/Slim/Slender and says she is Catholic.

Under her heroes, she names her mother and says she would like children 'someday'. As her occupation, she lists 'Party Girl'.

At the time, she wrote: 'Im 20 years old.. I live in Bolton... Currently looking to persue a modelling career in glamour modelling * laungerie!

'I am very much a family person i love my family to bits...and i love my friends toooo... Nothing makes me happier than to wake up in the morning knowing i have the best family in the world and the best friends i could think of!!!'

More...

• Coleen Rooney in crisis talks with parents over her future with Wayne after hooker tells of £1,200-a-night hotel liaisons
• Wayne Rooney will travel to Switzerland for England's Euro qualifier despite claims that he cheated on wife Coleen with a prostitute

New pictures obtained by MailOnline portray a young woman keen to rise to the celebrity status of the WAGs she appears to emulate. In one shot, she strikes a distinctly Footballers' Wives-style pose wearing an extremely short black dress, killer heels, a handbag and sunglasses.

In other pictures she poses in her underwear, a vampire outfit and lying semi naked on a bed.

Yet in her interview with a national tabloid, she berates 24-year-old Rooney for the lack of 'emotion' spared for unsuspecting Coleen.

She tells of an occasion when she met up with Rooney at a casino and he invited her back to the £4.5m Cheshire mansion he shared with his wife.

She said: 'I thought to myself "I can't that. I can't go to his wife's house." I mean, that's just wrong isn't it?'

She went on: '...as far as I'm concerned, paying a girl to have sex with you is one thing. Paying a girl to come back to your marital home when your pregnant missus is out is taking it a step too far. Especially when you know you could easily go somewhere else to get what you want.'

Sex with Rooney, she almost complains, felt seedy and became 'a bit samey'.

'Wayne was really quite plain in his routine. He wanted straight sex with a little bit of "naughty" thrown in - but not too naughty.'

Strike a pose: Thompson puts one leg on a kitchen worktop. We have covered her modesty