NASHVILLE, TN - A group that has attacked the construction of a mosque in Murfreesboro is now taking aim at a recent hire by Gov. Bill Haslam based on her religion.

The Tennessean reports the Center for Security Policy and the 8th District Tea Party Coalition have urged their members to put pressure on the state to dump Samar Ali, an attorney appointed last month as the new international director for the state's Economic and Community Development office.

Center for Security Policy's Frank Gaffney testified in a trial in Murfreesboro seeking to stop construction of a mosque. The 8th District Tea Party Coalition is an umbrella group for West Tennessee tea party groups.

ECD spokesman Clint Brewer said they have no intention of removing Ali, who is Muslim.