Islamic Academy of Alabama Withdraws Hoover Relocation Plan

The Islamic Academy of Alabama (IAA) has cancelled plans to relocate its school to Hoover. The decision comes after months of controversy and rising opposition from residents and public officials.

Late last week, the IAA notified Hoover city officials that it would not seek approval from the Hoover City Council to move the school into a vacant building in Meadow Brook Office Park. That decision effectively ends an almost seven-month process that drew intense local attention and strong reactions from the community.

A spokesperson for the IAA told ALPolitics.com that:

“After thoughtful reflection on the Planning Commission meeting and the community response that followed, we determined that shifting our focus toward alternative opportunities would better serve our school and our families moving forward”

The school’s application had been before the Hoover Planning and Zoning Commission, which on Dec. 1 unanimously voted to recommend denial of the conditional use permit needed for the project. Concerns cited by city staff and commissioners included whether the proposed use aligned with the city’s comprehensive plan for the area, questions about traffic impacts and inconsistencies in submitted documents.

According to Academy representatives, those procedural and substantive issues, combined with what they saw as an unfair review process, led them to withdraw the request rather than continue the fight into early 2026.

The proposal had also become a focal point for broader public debate. U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, weighed in publicly against the move on social media, saying the school had “NO PLACE in our state.” Tuberville added in a follow-up interview that he would fight against allowing Islamic schools in Alabama if elected Governor.

School leaders and supporters strongly disagreed with that characterization. In a news release Friday, Assistant Principal Stacy Abdein called the opposition rhetoric “inflammatory,” “baseless” and “defamatory.” She said the comments put students—some as young as 3—at risk of harassment and hostility. “At a time when our community should be coming together, statements that demonize innocent children and families are not only false, they are dangerous,” she said.

The Islamic Academy of Alabama has operated in Homewood for nearly 30 years. School officials had hoped the new facility in Hoover would offer room for expansion and improved opportunities, including expanded STEM programming.

Despite the setback, ALPolitics.com has been told that the school remains committed to finding a new location to meet its needs and serve its student body.