Muslim Community Hosts Hoover City Council Candidate Forum
Nearly 350 people attended nonpartisan event
The Birmingham Islamic Society (BIS) hosted its first-ever Hoover City Council Candidate Forum at the Hoover Crescent Islamic Center on Saturday, July 19. Nearly 350 Muslim community members filled the Center, highlighting the growing civic engagement of Hoover's Muslim population in advance of the August 26 municipal election.
Organizers said the nonpartisan forum was intended to provided a respectful, solution-focused space for dialogue around local issues impacting Hoover families. Candidates shared their qualifications and platforms while addressing issues facing the City such as school quality, infrastructure, economic development, and public engagement.
Candidates who attended included:
City Council Place 1
• Tanveer Patel
City Council Place 2
• Clint Bircheat
• Kenneth Cox, Jr.
• Copeland Johnson
• Gene Smith
City Council Place 3
• Liz Lane
• Robert L. Williams
City Council Place 4
• Khristi Driver
• Donna Mazur
City Council Place 5
• Steve Lawrence
• Derrick M. Murphy
Robin Schultz, (Place 1), Ashley Lovell (Place 2) and Christian Coleman (Place 4) did not attend, with Lovell and Coleman citing personal conflicts.
Two moderators guided the two‑hour program, which opened with remarks from BIS President Dr. Nasim Uddin. Each candidate made a brief statement before participating in a lively Q&A session driven by community-submitted and audience questions.
Candidates were asked to address a recently withdrawn zoning request for a proposed faith-based private school, as well as how they would prioritize transparency, fairness, and community input in their decision-making if elected.
The event concluded with a call to ongoing civic participation and meaningful dialogue between elected officials and the communities they serve.
BIS expressed its sincere appreciation to all candidates and attendees who contributed to a thoughtful and impactful event.
Founded in 1990, BIS is dedicated to fostering a united and thriving Muslim community in the Greater Birmingham area. For more information about the Hoover Crescent Islamic Center or Birmingham Islamic Society, please contact BIS leadership at bis@bisweb.org or visit their website, bisweb.org.
The Hoover municipal election is August 26, with the last day to register to vote being August 12. For more information on the candidates and other election information, see this link.
