I Am the Evidence You’re Wrong

Guest Opinion by Tanveer Patel

I am Tanveer Patel. I am a Muslim woman. I have been a CEO for 2 decades. 

If Sharia law oppressed women the way Perry Hooper Jr. claims, I wouldn’t exist in this role.

What Sharia Actually Is

When I pray five times a day, does that threaten you? When I fast during Ramadan, does that harm anyone? When I give to Alabama food banks, is that dangerous?

That’s Sharia for American Muslims—personal faith and ethical conduct under the U.S. Constitution. Not a political system. Not foreign law. Religious practice protected by the First Amendment.

Show Us the “Intelligence”

The op-ed claims Senator Tuberville has “seen the intelligence” about threats from Islamic schools. What intelligence? From which agency? About what specific threat?

Show us the evidence, or admit you don’t have any.

This is McCarthyism: make vague accusations about classified briefings, cite threats you can’t prove, and demand action based on fear. If there’s real evidence this school poses a danger, present it publicly. That’s how democracy works.

But there is no evidence. There are over 200 Islamic schools operating across America, educating more than 50,000 students. These students graduate, attend college at rates comparable to or higher than national averages, and become doctors, engineers, teachers, and business leaders. According to the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, Muslim Americans have among the highest educational attainment levels of any religious group in America, with 58% holding at least a bachelor’s degree.

The only “intelligence” here is manufactured fear.

Our Children Pay the Price

While politicians spread baseless accusations, Muslim children in Alabama are scared. They hear a U.S. Senator damn the idea of their education. They learn their faith makes them suspects.

These are American children born here—same flag, same dreams. Now they’re being taught they’re unwelcome in their own state based on lies.

Research from the American Psychological Association has documented the harmful effects of discrimination and prejudice on children’s mental health and academic performance. When political leaders single out religious communities, they create environments where children experience increased anxiety, depression, and fear particularly in school settings.

This isn't a policy debate. This is Islamophobia that endangers children’s safety and mental health.

The Real Hypocrisy

You claim to defend women’s rights while denying educational opportunities to Muslim girls? Muslim American women are breaking barriers across every sector. We have the second-highest workforce participation rate among American women by religious affiliation at 58%, according to ISPU data. We serve as doctors, attorneys, engineers, entrepreneurs, and yes CEOs.

If you cared about empowering women, you’d support Muslim girls learning under Alabama standards alongside boys just like Christian and Jewish schools.

This was never about protecting women. It’s about exclusion.

My Challenge

Senator Tuberville: Produce your intelligence, or admit it doesn’t exist.

Meet Muslim professionals in Alabama. Visit existing Islamic schools. Look Muslim children in the eyes and justify calling their faith a threat.

Then ask yourself: Does my prayer threaten Alabama? Does my fasting harm anyone? Does my charity undermine America?

The Bottom Line

I succeeded as a Muslim woman because America promised—and delivered—religious freedom. That promise is now tested by politicians scapegoating Muslims with fabricated threats.

My success proves your narrative is false. So does the data: 3.45 million Muslim Americans contribute significantly to the U.S. economy across every sector. According to the Pew Research Center, Muslim Americans are among the most educated and economically integrated religious communities in America. We serve in Congress, in state legislatures, in Fortune 500 companies, in hospitals, in schools, and in communities across all 50 states.

Muslim children are American children. They deserve safety, not suspicion. They deserve opportunity, not discrimination disguised as patriotism.

My faith doesn’t threaten you.

Your lies about my faith threaten all of us.

Tanveer Patel is a Hoover, Alabama-based entrepreneur and community leader. An Indian immigrant and naturalized citizen who has called Hoover home for over two decades, she co-founded and led several tech and health-tech companies, including ConcertIDC. Patel helped launch the Alabama Angel Network to support startup growth statewide and co-founded the Red Crescent Clinic of Alabama, a nonprofit providing free health care to underserved residents. She serves on multiple civic and business boards and was named one of the nation’s top 100 entrepreneurs by Upstart Business Journal.

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