By 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 Our Society.”

This year, however, convention organizers included a Latino Muslim Seminar for the first time, reflecting the awareness organizers have of incorporating information that addresses the incredible growth of Latinos within the religion of Islam.

The Latino Muslim Seminar at this year’s convention included speakers such as Brother Abdullah (Danny) Hernandez who is of Puerto Rican descent and has been in Egypt for the past several months studying to be an Imam. He began the lecture with a prayer and touched on the topic of Dawah to our Latino brethren.

The seminar was “MC’d” by Brother Alexander Robayo who has been a revert for over eight years and has been a guest speaker at many Islamic events. Recently, he participated in a BBC News online Q&A and was emailed questions by online viewers about many issues pertaining to Islam.

Other speakers included Sister Nylka Vargas who spoke about reasons for her reversion. She spoke about how Islam changed her incrementally, not overnight. With more knowledge, she came to understand that the tenants of Islam, including hijab, are all a blessing from Allah SWT. Because she didn’t have a support group after converting, she understands the importance of Dawah and education programs. She encourages new Muslim converts to form regular study groups and to participate in mosque open houses.

I spoke about the need for Muslims to know their audience. By doing so, Muslims may better facilitate Dawah with the proper information that will touch Latinos within our communities and help them to better understand their link to Al-Islam. In addition, I suggested to the audience that they themselves must take the initiative in making the masjids their second homes. We need to leave behind nationalist ideaology and start making the masjids not only places of worship, but the place where we congregate, celebrate, learn and thus surround ourselves with other muslims in order to reinforce our deen.

After the main presentations, an open discussion followed with Br. Melvin Reveron, Br. Diego Guadalupe, and Br. Rizwan Barim. They discussed ways in which Latino Muslims are planning to work with Why-Islam, an ICNA project. Rizwan Barim is a Why-Islam coordinator. As you may know, Why-Islam does a great job with Spanish Dawah.

The event was a success with entire families present. Brothers and sisters from other ethnicities had questions about how they too could reach out to their Latino Muslim brothers and sisters as well as perform Dawah in the Latino community. There are promises to hold a Latino seminar at next year’s ICNA-MAS Convention.

By 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 person because a Muslim recognizes the importance of the relationship between a person and his/her Creator.

However, in the process, in the path of Islam, Latina Muslims encounter challenges and difficulties. They face challenges in their transition of leaving traditional customs in order to adjust to a new Islamic way of life. One of the challenges that they face is a society, or world, full of stereotypes and misconceptions about what the true Islam really is. Due to these stereotypes and misconceptions, many Latina Muslims do not have the support and understanding of their families, friends, and coworkers when they embrace Islam.

For many new Latina Muslims, their adjustment to an Islamic culture is a big struggle. Latina Muslims struggle because they modify their dress code, adopting the headscarf into their daily lives. They modify their eating habits by not considering pork in their diet. They abandon some traditional customs, such as celebrating Christmas. They struggle because in order to accomplish the Islamic way of life, they must cut their different social circles where in the past before Islam, they were comfortable and well accepted. Therefore, many new Latina Muslims go through a process of isolation. Sometimes when they go to some Islamic communities, they are received with indifference or suspicion. Because many Latina Muslims struggle, they know what Jihad is. They struggle, and they are still struggling.

The beauty of Islam is that many Latina Muslims have become role models in this society. After incorporating Islam into their daily lives, they started to impact others around them. A curious non-Muslim Latino may ask a Muslimah, “Why do you wear a headscarf if you are a Latina? Why don’t you eat pork? Why don’t you celebrate Christmas?”

Many Latina Muslimahs are delivering Da’wah in this form. When a curious mind asks these types of questions, the Latina Muslim comes up with answers to their questions. In such cases, Latina Muslims are ‘the window to Islam’ to their non-Muslim families, friends, coworkers, and to other Latinos. Thus, non-Muslims can see Islam through these converts, or reverts. Through Muslimahs who are positive role models, non-Muslims can see the true Islam. They can see Islam through their struggle, faith, eeman for the sake of Allah; and this is what Islam stands for.

Many Latina Muslims have adjusted well to their Islamic way of life. They consider the importance of constantly learning and practicing Islam in the proper way. In the past few years, the Latina Muslims in Chicago started to get together with the purpose of strengthen their eeman and to increase their Islamic knowledge, to feed their spirituality, and to establish a family.

They have held special, annual events that include presentations about Islamic topics, a special welcome to the new Muslimah converts, and engaging in a social Islamic environment by having dinner together. After the second annual event in 2002, sisters requested Islamic classes in Spanish on a regular basis. In North Chicago, Latina Muslims have had regular and consistent Islamic classes in Spanish since March 29, 2003. These classes are delivered twice a month at the Muslim Community Center, which is located at 4380 North Elston Ave. in Chicago, Illinois. For over a year, Islamic classes in Spanish for sisters have been available every Sunday at the Mosque Foundation in Bridgeview, Illinois.

Occasionally, the two communities from North and South Chicago come together to form a bigger family, to have Islamic presentations, to socialize in a hospitable environment, and to share different Latino and Middle Eastern dishes. Non-Latina Muslimahs from many nationalities attend these events including Egyptians, Filipinos, Pakistanis, Palestinians, and Jordanians. Non-Muslim women attend these gatherings, and we accept this opportunity for Da’wah.

In North Chicago, the Latina Muslims have sponsored programs in English. They have the opportunity to invite all sisters from different ethnic backgrounds. Latina Muslims have a great experience by learning and feeling included among the larger Islamic community. Regular Islamic classes and programs provided this group of Latina Muslims with a stable Islamic environment, in which they could share their common background as converts, or reverts. They have social gatherings. They have Iftar together in Ramadan, and new Muslimahs have learnd to celebrate Eid. The new Muslimahs have learned the true meaning of fasting during the month of Ramadan.

On March 12, a new Islamic program for children was introduced. While sisters are attending Islamic classes, their children are attending classes, too. Thus, two Islamic classes occur at the same time. One class is for the sisters and another for the children in a separated room.

This year the Latina Muslims in North Chicago have a 2005-2006 agenda full of activities. The agenda includes consistent, regular Islamic classes in Spanish, outreach bilingual programs, and Arabic classes for children and their mothers. Arabic classes for children started last August 27. The objective is to learn the Arabic grammar in order to understand and read the Surahs in Arabic. InshaAllah, the goals set in the 2005-2006 agenda will be achieved, and our goals will assist in the continuation of the spread of Islam.

By 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 as those who immigrated to the United States. The Latino Muslim conference speeches occurred parallel to those of the ISNA regional conference. All speeches were translated so that everyone could benefit. Spanish speeches were translated to English and vice versa.

Our main lecturer was Sheikh Ahmed Al Arafi who spoke about a very important topic for all Muslims entitled “The Way to Success.” He presented his speech as a four part series during the weekend. He advised us to be patient and gentle in our manner and to avoid arrogance and ignorance. Imam Al Arafi leads the weekly halaqa for the group of Latino Muslims who meet at the Dallas Central Mosque. Although he doesn’t speak Spanish, the Dallas Latino Muslims like him very much, because of his personality, knowledge, and wisdom.

Sister Erika Perez Negron spoke about the “Ten Steps to Paradise.” She advised us on practical steps for being successful Muslims. Brother Isa Garcia shared his personal conversion/reversion story. Isa discussed his family’s journey to Islam. At least twenty members in his family have come to Islam. Some of them also spoke about how they came to Islam. Isa Garcia and his family shared personal experiences as well as experiences about living among non-Muslim family and society. Most importantly, they shared great pleasure, enthusiasm, and gratitude in understanding what it means to be a Muslim. The speeches have been recorded for future reference and should be made available for halaqas and different occasions.

In spite of our concerted effort to reunite Latino Muslims, the number of conference participants was relatively low compared to previous years and compared to the population of Latino Muslims who live within the Dallas-Forth Worth area. I believe that we must make a greater effort to attend these types of events. By doing so, we will be more organized and increase the work of dawah. This will also make our Latino Muslim community stronger and more united. Perhaps, we need to increase the amount of publicity for these events to attract more participants at the local and national level.

Like the number of participants, the number of speeches and speakers should also increase. This year, presentations were primarily about the religion of Islam and were geared for Muslims, in general. Knowledge about the religion of Islam is necessary for successful dawah work. Also, many Latino Muslims have never heard Islamic lectures in Spanish. However, many topics could be included that are specifically for the Latino Muslim population. We should include more topics that focus on Latinos and the problems they experience after embracing Islam. For example, topics could be about recommendations for dawah to Latinos, such as orientation classes for new Latino Muslims.

The information booth was one of the greatest successes of the conference. The booth was located in the entrance to the main hall where people register for the conference. Spanish literature was placed on the colorful flags of Latin American countries that decorated the information table. Plenty of Spanish dawah literature was distributed – pamphlets, books, audio CDs, and Qurans. The table allowed us to call much attention to the Latino Muslim community. Muslim of all races approached to ask about Latino Muslims. Today, Latinos live in almost all corners of the United States. And, Muslims who reside in the United States should know that dawah literature for Spanish speakers is available for them to share. Many brothers and sisters approached the booth to take material to distribute among their close Latino friends and acquaintances. Many Muslims also requested advice about how to introduce Islam to Latinos as well as how to continue the dawah work once they show interest in learning about Islam and Muslims, in general.

In conclusion, the Conference on Islam among Latino Americans was quite successful. Thanks to God. A few years ago Latino Muslim events were essentially unheard of, and in many cases, similar events were almost impossible to organize. During the entire weekend, we could perceive an atmosphere of brotherhood among the participants. Although there is no exact number of Latino Muslims residing in the United States or in Latin America, ther is an estimate of 40,000 converts/reverts. In his article entitled “Latino Muslims Growing in Number in the US,” Greg Flakus wrote, “Islam is one of the fastest-growing religions in the United States and Latinos represent one of the fastest-growing minorities. Increasingly, the two trends are meeting in the form of Hispanic converts to Islam.” All thanks to God.

During the weekend, the following letter of appreciation was presented to ISNA. Latino Muslims who attended the Latino Muslims conference signed the letter.

In the Name of Allah, The Gracious, The Most Merciful

Friday July 1st, 2005

Assalaamu’Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuh

We would like to thank the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) for its Annual Conference on Islam among Latino Americans. Since its founding in 1982, ISNA has been committed to the development of all Muslims within North America. ISNA has shown its commitment to building bridges with all Muslim communities within the United States. From this spirit of brother and sisterhood, ISNA has committed itself to assisting the growing Latino Muslim community.

When few Muslims knew about the growth of Islam among Latinos, the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) had the courage to embark upon the first conference for the development of the Latino Muslim community, giving many of them an opportunity to have a voice within the Muslim community, and at the same time, giving them an example of how to be leaders in their own communities. They have been given an opportunity to network with other Muslims as well as to educate themselves and others on various topics of interest.

Since 1999, the Annual Conference on Islam among Latino Americans has been a blessing for all Hispanics. ISNA has demonstrated itself to be a model of cultural sensitivity in its development and advancement of this conference. May Allah accept our efforts and continue using us in various meaningful ways to spread this Deen of truth. Jazaak Allahul Khairan. Ameen.

“O mankind! We created you from a single soul, male and female, and made you into nations and tribes, so that you may come to know one another.” – Qur’an 49:13.

By 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 a person of color, Latino and Asian, is part of my Islamic identity. I maintain who I am, as I embrace the path (deen) of Islam. I am a person Latino (and Asian) that is Muslim, and I am a Latino/Asian Muslim.

This also means I bring something to Islam as a multi-ethnic American. As a person of color in the United States, I bring a perspective of what it means to be an American that is not always treated the same in his homeland. As a person of color, I am not treated by the American majority the same as my Anglo counterparts. People can argue about the presence of racism in America today; all I can do is rely on my multiple experiences of prejudice from my fellow Americans. I bet many Muslim Americans can tell similar stories, especially after 2001.

My “conversion” has added to my status as a person of color. I am not only “one of those people”; I have now joined the “terrorists.” I was a “threat” before as a male person of color in this country; now I am the “enemy.” The external, negative perception of Islam is tied to all Muslims. Whether you were born one or you converted, the assumption or perception of such a person is linked to the acts of extremists. So what does this mean for Latino Muslims?

It simply means that we must follow the tenants of Islam and strive to be good Muslims. We take the prejudice attitudes and laws, and we face them as Muslims. We do not respond with hate or negativity; we respond with respect and an open mind. We have to follow the example of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and treat people equally. We must maintain our cultural identity, while keeping our Islamic values. We strive for peace and tolerance in the world.

In a capitalist world, it can be difficult to maintain our values. We are tempted by lots of distractions to move away from our path. Prejudice is an example of such a distraction. I bring this forward as an example of one challenge that Latino Muslims and all other Muslims face each day in the US. It is our job as ambassadors of the faith to respond with kindness and respect. I also note this challenge as Muslims in the US, because it is something I am personally working on to make myself a better Muslim.

Beyond the political and social dealings, Latino Muslims live as other American minorities. We seek out the “American Dream” and want to visit Disney World like everyone else. What makes us unique is our tie to Roman Catholicism, Spain, and colonialism. Our heritage is born out of a forced merging with Spanish conquistadors; we were conquered physically, territorially, linguistically, and spiritually.

In our modern world, we still carry the Spanish “legacy” in our language, culture, and genes. However, many of us are looking beyond traditional faith for answers. Our hearts have sought refuge in many of the various Christian faiths, Judaism, and Islam. However, there has always been a tie to Islam. From 711-1492 C.E., there was a full presence of Islam in Spain. They were Spanish by our standards; the Moors intermarried and built a great deal of southern Spain. Somehow, Western history forgets this important point.

As we modern day Latinos have sought other sources for our spiritual needs, we have discovered Islam. I found my heart lifted by the stories of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), and I was truly changed by reading the Qur’an, the guidance given to humanity by Allah (swt). When the calling of my heart yearned for the path of Islam, I could not help but embrace the faith. I may have converted with a group of Muslims in Denver, but I had committed my life to Allah (swt) over a year before.

Now as a (half) Latino Muslim, what does it all mean? Well, it means I need to be part of the Islamic community, and I need to share my experience of Islam with other non-Muslims, especially Latinos and Asians. Why? It is my responsibility to bring the word of Allah to those that have not heard it. It means I must educate those that want to know more about my faith; it means I am to represent Islam in the things I do. It also entails me to network in the community and to assist my fellow Muslims.

To start out on this path of communication, I found the Latino American Dawah Organization (LADO). I communicated with the organization via the Internet and e-mail, and I was able to network with a few people here in Denver. I am still very grateful for the wonderful folks they got me in contact with; I have been able to build many friendships. I also was able to find organizations to volunteer with to continue my Dawah efforts. I want to cite a special point in my journey as a “new” Muslim; I was able to be part of a group of Latino Muslims in Denver. I was able to be in a space with more than two of us. 🙂

The Meeting…

I was excited to hear that I would be able to meet fellow Latino Muslims here in Denver at the end of July. The infamous Juan Galvan was coming to town and organizing an informal meeting. In conjunction with this event, local Muslims would be hosting a rally in Denver that afternoon in response to the hate rhetoric against Muslims in the US media.

I arrived at our meeting place and found a few folks I knew, and I met some new faces. I had no idea where Juan was, but I sat and chatted. Apparently, a local newspaper was interviewing Juan. He invited the reporter to our informal gathering, where she proceeded to ask us questions.

Her questions were the typical “why” questions I am always asked. Why did you convert? How does your family feel about it? They never ask anything new or anything important. How does being a Muslim make you feel? What is it like to embrace a new faith?

How has Islam changed your heart? I appreciate it when I am asked a new, deep question. I love to explain how I feel my heart has been softened by my experience in Islam. I get concerned that people do not care about how Islam impacts you on the inside. There is more concern with external perceptions and data gathering. I feel as if we are not listened to as people. I thought faith was about seeking out the Almighty, not about how you fend off critics. We were asked really basic questions. Perhaps, I expected non-Muslims to know more about Islam, since it is in the public view right now.

One of the first questions, the reporter asked us was “So, who among you are Latino Muslim?” Almost everyone in the group said they were or raised their hands. One younger sister didn’t raise her hand. Later, we learned that she was the daughter of one of the Latina Muslims who attended. Her father is of Arab descent. Why didn’t she raise her hand?

The next day, the newspaper article disappointed me. Of all the data collected, only a fraction was reflected in the article. Many comments were used to construct a simple view about Latino Muslims. The article was about “family vs. Islam” rather than about the tapestry of Islamic life experience by Latino converts/reverts. The tone of the article also felt very accusatory. Who are these Latino Muslims anyway?

Furthermore, the article did what others have done in the past: it made Islam look alien. People have practiced Islam for hundreds of years around the world including North America. The article treated everything as if Islam had just appeared on American soil a few years ago. Also, the article gave an impression that Latino Muslims practice Islam differently than other Muslims. I guess the article was not on the same page as this Latino Muslim.

While the interview was rather typical, I was most pleased that it was an educational moment for all of us. We, Latino Muslims, had a chance to express ourselves publicly about our experience in Islam. Non-Muslims had the chance to learn about the existence of Latino Muslims. Also, non-Latino Muslims had the chance to learn about the existence of Latino Muslims. Many of my non-Latino friends read the article and found it interesting, as Latinos are increasingly embracing Islam. We have had much discussion about creating more interfaith dialogues and dawah efforts to educate the Latino community about Islam. This is what I love about Islam: education, community, and a real sense of “familia.”

After the interview, I finally got to meet and talk with Juan. I thought he would be much older. Our group chatted and went to lunch. It was nice to talk with fellow Muslims about being “the only Latinos” in the mosque. We really bonded over our common experience as Latinos in the US and in Islam.

One sister commented to me that she did not know what it meant to be a Latino Muslim. She knows what it means to be a Latina, and she knows what it means to be a Muslimah. However, she felt like herself. She could not think of any significant experience that separates one reality from the other. She was just being herself and trying to be the person Allah (swt) wants her to be.

After having lunch, we decided to go together to the rally being held nearby. The rally was organized by many of my friends in the Denver Muslim community. I also knew a majority of the speakers. It was great to hear us speak out and defend the Muslim Americans from the attacks of the critics of Islam. It was done in a tasteful and respectful way, offering dialogue and understanding.

While at the rally, one of my friends who is a Shurah member of the Colorado Muslim Society (CMS) told me and Juan that he was interviewed for the article about Latino Muslims. I couldn’t believe that the reporter asked him, “Are Latinos allowed to attend the CMS’ mosque?” I laughed out loud. And, I laughed again. I then imagined some guard at the door of the mosque checking for Muslim I.D. cards. My imagination went a step further, and I pictured some advanced starship sensors attached to the mosque scanning the DNA of those who wish to enter. Only those with “ethnically Muslim” DNA could enter the mosque; I laughed again out loud.

My friend told the reporter that everyone is always welcome to attend the mosque. Once again, I am amazed at how much Americans do not know about other faiths, especially Islam. Such experiences really push me to consider doing more dawah to educate my community about Islam.

The Latino group parted ways after the rally. I was able to catch a ride with Juan back to his hotel. We ended the busy day with a soda at the hotel restaurant. We chatted about what it means to be Muslim in the Latino community as well as in the American ‘umma. It was great to meet Latino Muslims in Denver and confirm that I was not the only one.

Concluding Remarks

I think I will close with my latest experience of being an American Muslim. The US has a history of discrimination to the point of ridiculousness. I was watching a news program about al-adan (the call the prayer); US people were protesting the call to prayer in their town. They claimed they were being preached to! The call to prayer is in Arabic. I doubt the average US citizen from “Middle America” understands Classical Arabic. I sat back and laughed. We have to listen to Christmas songs blaring for two months and sit through the other holidays, and yet somehow, our call to prayer bothers them? I thought this “controversy” was insane, but it revealed the need for more Dawah in the US.

Latino Muslims have made a place for themselves in the American Muslim community. We bring a unique culture to the ‘umma that has historical ties to Islam. We also bring a unique American experience, as immigrants and native peoples. Our cultural tie to Roman Catholicism is another part of our unique perspective (and the faith we are all assumed to be a part of). We come to Islam usually after a journey of difficulty with Christianity. Islam answers our questions and meets our spiritual needs. Once we find Islam, we are welcomed by our brothers and sisters. The Muslim community in the United States has opened its arms to Latino Muslims. I expect that more Latinos will be coming to the faith as we continue our Dawah efforts and share our experiences with Islam.