Plans to establish a Muslim school in an Alabama town have been decisively rejected following a heated public meeting where residents voiced strong opposition, citing concerns ranging from traffic to a perceived 'cultural takeover'.
Unanimous Rejection Amid Public Outcry
The Hoover Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously on Monday to deny a request from the Islamic Academy of Alabama to convert a local office building into a K-12 school and community centre. The decision was met with loud applause from an overflow crowd of approximately 170 local residents who attended the meeting to oppose the move.
Officially, commissioners cited traffic congestion in the high-density area and questions over the site's long-term use as reasons for the denial. However, the discussion revealed deeper cultural and religious anxieties among the community.
Fears of a 'Cultural Takeover' and References to the UK
Protesters at the meeting held signs referencing conspiracy theories, including one that read 'Stop the 100 year plan', alluding to a baseless theory about a Muslim plot to dominate American institutions. Another sign stated 'Give an inch - Dearborn Michigan', pointing to the Michigan city known for its large Muslim population and Arab-American leadership.
One resident explicitly warned of a 'long-term cultural takeover' by Muslims, drawing direct parallels to the United Kingdom. 'I witnessed in the United Kingdom, especially, in Manchester, Birmingham, London, that the multiculturism did not work,' the speaker claimed, according to local news reports. 'The Muslims did not assimilate.' Commission Chairman Mike Wood eventually interrupted this testimony, stating the meeting was solely to assess the school's appropriate placement.
Broader Context of Rising Islamophobia
The incident in Hoover occurs against a backdrop of increasing anti-Muslim sentiment in the United States. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) reported receiving 8,658 complaints in 2024, a rise of more than seven percent from 2023 and the highest number since the organisation began tracking data in 1996.
Earlier this year, Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato condemned death threats and hateful speech directed at Muslim city council candidate Tanveer Patel, asserting 'We will not let hate win.' The Islamic Academy, which has operated in nearby Homewood since 1995 with around 260 students, argued it had been transparent. 'Our plan was consistent all along. We're not here to trick anybody,' said lawyer Lucas Gambio.
The commission's denial now awaits a final vote from the Hoover City Council, leaving the future of the proposed Islamic school in limbo.
