Breaking: More Latinos Converting to Islam
Another story about Latinos and Islam. I noted this trend here and here of the media obssession with this. At some point it would seem that they would stop saying that and it would become something normal, but they have been saying this for several years now…
The number of Hispanic Americans converting to Islam is growing rapidly — particularly in New York, California, Texas and Florida, which have the greatest concentration of Hispanic residents. Muslim leaders say interest in Islam has increased in the past few years, and they also note that Muslims and Hispanics, many of whom are immigrants, share a number of common concerns. Steve Mort reports from a mosque in Florida that has seen a steady increase in Latino worshippers.
The al-Rahman mosque in Orlando opened in 1975 and is the oldest Muslim place of worship in the city.
But over the years its membership has changed, and now increasing numbers of Hispanics, like Jesus Marti, are joining the congregation. “It’s the right way to be worshipping God, and I love the Islamic religion. It really has given me a lot of knowledge, and I have learned so many things from Islam.”
Jesus, a Puerto Rican living in Florida, converted to Islam only a year ago. He is one of tens of thousands of Hispanic Muslims in the United States: estimates range from around 70,000 to 200,000.
He says that while he has faced criticism for converting to Islam, he has found broad acceptance as a Muslim in America. “Islam is not a country. Islam is a religion. Islam is definitely a way of life, for discipline where you follow and you try to enhance yourself to get the most positive things out of yourself for the benefit of your own self and for the benefit of your own family and the society as a whole.”
Muslim leaders say Jesus Marti and other Hispanics choose Islam for a variety of reasons. They say Muslims and Hispanics face common issues and concerns, like finding their way in a new, unfamiliar country. The media focus on Islam since September 11th has also been factor.
Imam Muhammad Musri is president of the Islamic Society of Central Florida. The society has about 40,000 members. Iman Musri says Latinos and Muslims find they have a lot in common. “There are so many common denominators between immigrant Muslims and immigrant Hispanics who see the issues common to both of them — immigration issues, as it is a big discussion in the United States, and there are other issues of trying to find a job, keep a job, buy a home — all the same struggles two groups of people happen to be going through creates this bond between them”.
Hundreds of worshippers attend Imam Musri’s mosque, and there is an increasing demand for religious literature in Spanish.
He points to Spain’s historical ties with Islam. And that many Hispanics find Muslim culture and values similar to their own.
Iman Musri says, “Many who come from Central and South America come with conservative values and, as well, Muslims come with conservative values. And here in the States they find that those values are put in question or are being challenged. So it is common to see Hispanics and Muslims working on similar projects in terms of family and education and reforms to protect their values, their conservative values they have.”
For Jesus Marti and his fellow Hispanic worshippers, the decision to convert to Islam is personal, but also part of a broader trend.
He hopes greater diversity among America’s Muslims will help strengthen understanding of Islam within the wider U.S. population.
Filed under: Convert Issues
Notice how the Muslim “leaders” quoted in the article are speaking for Latino Muslims while not being Latino themselves and having the cojones to say *why* Latinos are converting; when will these new batches of Latino Muslims be allowed to speak for themselves by the immigrants?
Salaam ‘Alaikum
When, oh when, will this media fetish with Latino converts be over? Latinos convert for “a variety of reasons?” Ya’ani, like someone converts b/c they like the hijab, but they’re not sure about that whole “One God” thing? Why is it that journalists (and sometimes, Muslims) always have to bring up that whole “conservative Latin culture means a readier acceptance of Islam” thing?
Omar G, tbh w/ you, I think Latino Muslims aren’t waiting for our esteemed community leaders (immigrant, White, or Black) to let their voices be heard. Let them go on saying what they want to say; people who are simply looking for a spiritual truth will find their way, and those who are interested in hearing the voices of the people themselves will find a way to hear them. We have LADO. We have ALMA. We have LALMA. Latino Muslims have been making their voices heard since Alianza Islamica broke ground in E. Harlem in the 80’s.
Its funny reading this because I feel that a mot of the muslim communities are self segreated..meaning that the arab sisters tend to stick with the arab sisters,the black sisters with the black sisters etc. This article made it seem as if these was a sudden blend which i dont find having lived all over the US.
I dont even think Latinos are converting *reverting* because of similar values either. I think its just the same old reasons as most..looking for the right path.
Ahh well