Alabama Town Scraps Islamic School Proposal

In a Birmingham suburb, plans for an Islamic school have been dropped. The zoning board cited traffic issues, while some locals expressed worries about a “cultural takeover,” drawing comparisons to situations in Dearborn, Michigan, and parts of Great Britain.

Residents turned out in large numbers for a zoning board meeting, with around 170 people present, many strongly opposing the idea of relocating the current Islamic school from Homewood to Hoover. Ultimately, the commission rejected the zoning request unanimously, primarily due to traffic concerns and uncertainties regarding the site’s future use, which is currently designated as a district office. Following the vote, attendees reportedly burst into applause.

Residents generally agreed with the board’s reasoning, but discussions also became heated regarding cultural and religious apprehensions. Some worried that the K-12 school might transform Hoover into a predominantly Islamic community.

Protesters displayed signs during the meeting with messages like “Hold on, dear Michiganders,” and “Stop the 100-Year Plan,” hinting at a belief that there’s a plot for a Muslim takeover of the U.S. system.

Additionally, certain residents were apprehensive about how the school might affect business growth in Hoover. One resident, Bruce Davis, voiced his concern, stating, “There’s going to be real trouble in this community. I’m just telling you right now.” He added that there would be an influx of people, anticipating that it could lead to issues for the community.

“Stay in Homewood,” suggested a woman during the meeting. The Islamic Academy has been located in Homewood since 1995, serving around 260 students, according to attorney Lucas Gambio.

Traffic congestion in an already busy area, along with worries about property values and future zoning implications, also weighed heavily on the minds of residents.

The final speaker at the conference received applause after discussing a “long-term cultural takeover” observed among British Muslims during his travels. He expressed shock at witnessing what he described as the overwhelming presence of Muslims in a country that once held strong Christian values. He also noted his experiences related to multiculturalism in the UK, specifically mentioning cities like Manchester, Birmingham, and London.

“Muslims did not assimilate. In fact, the British bent over backwards over and over again to their demands,” he lamented.

The committee chairman, Mike Wood, eventually intervened, pointing out that the discussion was veering off-topic and the audience voiced their disagreement. “We’re here to investigate whether this school was properly sited,” he stated, emphasizing that the meeting’s focus was different.

The final say on the commission’s rejection will now be delivered to the City Council for a concluding vote on the proposed project.