By Rebecca Abuqaoud Waleikum Salam, I am pleased to discuss an interesting phenomenon that is happening in North America. The Latino Muslims as a whole are growing in numbers like never before. Amazingly, Islam is one of the fastest growing religions in the United States, and it is significantly attracting Hispanic people. There are only estimates about the accurate number of how many Latinos have reverted to Islam. This interesting phenomenon about the growing number of Latinos converting to Islam in the United States is so appealing that recently Latino Muslims are subjects of study by teachers, professors, and universities.
Read MoreTimeline September 1997 Latino American Dawah Organization (LADO) is founded to promote Islam among Latinos in the United States. October 1997 LADO begins to formalize its mission statement and the means for accomplishing its mission. October 1997 LADO selects “¡A su LADO!” as its slogan. October 1997 LADO establishes first LADO website. October 1997 LADO establishes first LADO online newsletter. 1998-2000 LADO makes alliances with organizations on a local level. January 2001 LADO initiates Latino Muslim Census. July 2001 LADO attends the 2nd Annual Latino Muslim Conference. July 2001 LADO is endorsed by ISNA and ICNA. August 2001 LADO is
Read MoreBy Khadijah Rivera http://piedad-latinodawah.blogspot.com/2007/06/islam-spreading-rapidly-among-latinos.html Islam Spreading Rapidly Among the Latino in the US and Latin America. First Latino Muslims Speaking Tour in Florida was organized with Imam Ali Siddiqui who delivered an impressive Khutbah at Tampa, Fl. OUR first Latino Speaking tour took off with many unexpected difficulties but many beautiful Muslims from Florida and California helped us to pull it off. We also learned valuable lessons from our shortcomings. First, a BIG KUDOS goes to Imam Ali Siddiqui, Imam Benjamin Perez and Br Mario Nunez. It’s just impossible to state how grateful we are! These wonderful brothers left deep
Read MoreBy Juan Galvan On Saturday, November 18, I had a unique opportunity to meet with Muslims from New York City and New Jersey. I met with Muslims at the 96th St Mosque until noon then with more Muslims at the Islamic Educational Center of North Hudson (IECNH) until 4:00PM. My visit to New York was mainly vacation but I wanted to meet some Muslims who I admire for their contribution. I have been blessed to meet many amazing Muslims on the Internet. I also wanted to request some input on a number of issues from them. Originally, my plan was
Read MoreBy Nichola Saminather November 18, 2005 When Pamela “” now Aisha “” Munoz came to the United States from Bolivia five years ago in search of her true self, she didn’t imagine that it would involve a radical conversion away from her Roman Catholic roots. Today, 17 months after she accepted Islam, she sits serenely on a metal bench in the bustling Queens Center Mall in Elmhurst, with her black hijab wrapped securely around her head. She has, she says, finally found what she was seeking. Without the hijab “” the Muslim headscarf — she could be any 23-year-old Latina.
Read MoreBy Juan Galvan I have personally been blessed to have met several Latino Muslims from Chicago. I met Brother Ricardo Pena, Sister Diana Pena, and Brother Yahya Lopez in 2002 at the ISNA Latino Muslims Conference. Husband and wife, Brother Ricardo and Sister Diana, have been involved in the local Chicago Muslim community volunteering, for example, with the Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN). Brother Yahya Lopez is responsible for translating much of the Spanish Islamic literature distributed by the Institute of Islamic Information and Education (III&E). A year later, I would meet Brother Edmund Arroyo who works extensively with the
Read MoreBy Yahsmin M.B. BoBo December 23, 2005 Masjid al Islam hosts an Annual Da’wah March through the streets of Oakland, California. This annual march follows Salatul Jumaa (Friday prayer) after Thanksgiving Day. We take to the streets at this time because we figure that most folks are off from work and relaxing in their homes at this time. The reaction is lovely; we feel supported by the neighborhood. The purpose of this year’s march was essentially the same as previous marches. However, we also took the opportunity to speak with local liquor storeowners in the inner city who happen to
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By Wendy Diaz-Guadalupe October 11, 2005 was a historical night in New York City where Muslims and non-Muslims came together as one entity to discuss untold events of Latino culture. Columbia University’s Muslim Students Association and Lamda Pi Chi Sorority, Inc., sponsored “Latinos in Islam: Rediscovering Our Roots.” The event was presented by Hernan Guadalupe of the Latino Muslim Outreach Program (L.M.O.P.), a program founded under the PrimeXample Company which aims to build relationships between non-Muslims and Muslims through Islamic awareness based on the Qur’an and Sunnah, or authentic traditions of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.
Read MoreBy Shinoa Matos During the July 4th weekend, thousands of Muslims attended the annual joint convention of the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) and the Muslim American Society (MAS). The ICNA-MAS Convention is one of the largest, annual Islamic conventions in the United States. This year’s ICNA-MAS Convention was held in Stamford, Connecticut. The main hall at ground level included endless vendors selling everything from clothing and hijabs to food, books, and literature. The three-day event, held at the newly built Convention Center included different lectures and seminars by keynote speakers. This year’s theme was “Family: The Foundation of
Read MoreBy Rebecca Abuqaoud What They have Accomplished and their Vision for the Future in Chicago Assalam Waleikum, What a great blessing for the many Latinas who have entered into the fold of Islam! They were searching for the truth – to quench their thirst for truth in order to satisfy their spirituality. In searching for the truth, they found this unique religion called “Islam.” Through Islam, these Latinas found answers to questions that in the past did not make sense. For many new Muslims, life in Islam is now more precious and more meaningful. Islam elevates the spirituality of a
Read MoreBy Rocio Martinez-Mendoza Dallas, Texas During July 4th weekend, the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) held its Annual SouthCentral Regional Conference. This year was the 6th Annual Conference on Islam among Latino Americans. This Latino Muslims conference is one of the Islam in America Conferences held in conjunction with the regional conference. We extend our gratefulness to ISNA for allowing us, Latino Muslims, to unite for the simple fact of pleasing Allah (swt) and to obtain more knowledge about Islam. Approximately 25 Latinos attended the event. The group of Latinos included those born in the United States as well
Read MoreBy Khalid Malik Rosa July 30, 2005 Thoughts from Denver, Colorado I have been asked this question many times in my few months of “reverting” to Islam. I can only respond that I am only half Latino. 🙂 I can then respond with the fact that once I fully embraced Islam I became part of the community. The ‘umma (community) I belong to exists beyond the parameters of race, ethnicity, and nationality. I am Muslim and my concern is serving Allah (swt). By no means does this indicate that Islam erases who I am. It means that my identity as
Read MoreBy Juan Alvarado Evolution of the Latino American Dawah Organization Since childhood I always noticed that I was spiritual to say the least. I was baptized, did my communion and confirmation. I was even an altar boy. By the time I was 19, I renounced Christianity once and for all due to my lack of belief in the basic teachings of Christianity. However, I continued my search for truth. This search led me to read on a non-stop basis, something that I still do. After studying Islam for a couple of years, I was sufficiently comfortable that I decided to
Read MoreBy Rocío Martínez-Mendoza I am a Latina Muslim from Mexico City who now lives in west Texas. My husband is Moroccan, and, as a result, home is full of Latin and Arab culture alhamduliAllah. My husband and I have been planning our Hadjj trip but didn’t have the chance to do it either because of money, visa, or pregnancy reasons. When we finally thought we were able to do it and started the planning my husband told me that it is inshaAllah going to be a very different kind of trip; it is not a trip for vacation, for leisure,
Read MoreBy Juan Galvan The Message InternationalNovember-December 2004http://www.messageonline.org In the Qur’an, Allah (swt) says: “And We did not send any messenger but with the language of his people, so that he might explain to them clearly. Then Allah leaves astray whom He wills, and guides whom He wills. He is the Mighty, the Wise.” (14:4) In the verse, language doesn’t only mean language in its verbal form. Prophets addressed the concerns, values, beliefs, and needs of the people to whom they were sent. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was born in Arabia and naturally spoke the language of his people. He knew
Read MoreBy Kathryn Espinoza It’s the night of August 20, 2004, and my heart is smiling, reflecting my face, as I sit here on this now empty stage, looking upon this now empty hall that about two hours ago was full of approximately 250 Muslims ranging from all corners of the globe. I’m still. I’m free. I’m happy. The ummah is now complete…I think to myself. Thinking back in my memory bank to 4:30 pm: the arrival of the enchiladas de pollo, the ones sisters and brothers slaved over the night before. Picture this…a garage turned kitchen with Mexicanos, Mexicano-Pakistanis, Salvadorenos,
Read MoreWhat you can do to help! LADO is a volunteer organization. We need: Islamic literature.LADO always accepts donations of Islamic literature. Contact us if you have books, brochures, or cds that you would like to donate to Latinos interested in Islam. You can also purchase Spanish and English language material and donate it for free distribution. CDs, DVDs, and Audio Tapes.We need recordable CDs and DVDs to copy and distribute Spanish Islamic literature. Talents, skills, and interests.We need people with various skills and talents. Use your interests for the benefit of the Ummah. Volunteer Translators.We need volunteers who can speak,
Read MorePor Rebecca Abuqaoud (The English translation follows.) Assalam Waleikum, Warahmatulla Wabarakatuhu! La confraternidad de las hermanas latinas musulmanas en Chicago, el 4to anual del 2004 fue exitoso, alhamdulillah!. Este evento se llevo a cabo el pasado 26 de Junio a las 4pm en el Banquete Salon del Muslim Community Center. En este dia especial, un promedio de treinta mujeres latinas de diferentes partes de Illinois e inclusive fuera de este estado, se reunieron para dar la bienvenida a las nuevas hermanas en Islam. Se reunieron tambien para compartir un tema candente, para saborear la comida latina y luego al final
Read MoreBy Juan Galvan Assalaam alaykum, During the July 4th weekend, I attended the fifth annual ISNA Latino Muslims Conference. The event was held in Dallas, Texas. Our main speaker was Imam Yahya Suquillo of Ecuador. Imam Suquillo helped a Latino take shahada at the event. It was beautiful to see a Latino make his declaration of faith in Arabic and Spanish. All the sisters were crying, and the brothers who weren’t crying were trying hard not to cry. After a day long of sessions, I requested the audience to write down their comments about the program. InshAllah, all Muslims can
Read MoreBy C.K. Harpole The Latino Open House was held on Sunday, April 25, 2004 from 3:00PM to 5:00PM. It was one of the first events of its kind to take place in our area. The open house took place at Masjid Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq in Metairie, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans. It was sponsored by Muslim American Society of New Orleans. The Latino Muslims are a group that follows Ahl-sunnah wal-jamaat. Sister Jenny Yanez hosted the event with the help of the Islamic community. Her mother is from Spain but lived in Cuba for many years. Her father and
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