I converted to Islam in 2000, and only six years had passed when I had my first child. At that moment, I faced an unexpected challenge: I had to raise a “born Muslim” without the necessary tools catered to our reality as Latino Muslims. At the time, children’s books about Islam available in Spanish were almost unheard of. My husband, also a Latino Muslim convert, and I wanted to nurture our children’s bilingual and bicultural identity, but the resources did not exist. That absence inspired us to establish Hablamos Islam and begin creating original Spanish-language Islamic children’s literature. What started as a personal family project soon grew into a movement serving other Latino Muslim families.

For close to two decades, I have dedicated myself to writing, publishing, and distributing children’s books in Spanish that teach Islamic values, history, and identity. These resources have reached communities in Puerto Rico, Mexico, Ecuador, Colombia, Spain, and throughout the Spanish-speaking world. Over time, the project has evolved into creative programming, event planning, and outreach. I also use my writing to reach adult audiences about issues related to the Latino community, women in Islam, and parenting, raising our voices in print and online magazines and newsletters. With Latinos being one of the fastest-growing demographics in the Americas, I view this work as a crucial foundation for identity-formation, education, and belonging.

Families like mine, who once struggled to explain Islam to their children in their native tongue, now have access to engaging, age-appropriate materials. I have received numerous messages from mothers and fathers in Spanish-speaking countries and communities sharing how Hablamos Islam books have helped them teach their children about their faith. In one unforgettable message, a mother recorded her now teenage son recounting how my books helped him and the rest of the children at his mosque in Colombia learn about things like hijab and Ramadan when they were younger. Communities that were previously underserved have been able to introduce Islamic values to young generations in a language and context that resonates with their heritage. In classrooms, masajid, and homes, these books have become tools of education and empowerment, where children see themselves reflected in the stories they read. Alhamdulillah, I never expected the feedback and support we have gotten over the years. It has been both a blessing and a motivation to do more for our community.

For me, the importance of this work goes far beyond publishing books. It is about representation and authenticity. For too long, Islamic literature, both academic and mainstream, has overlooked Latino narratives, leaving Latino Muslims without voices that reflect their lived realities. Increasing Latino representation in Islamic literature means affirming that Islam is a global faith, enriched by diverse cultural expressions. It ensures that young Latino Muslims grow up proud of their faith and their heritage.

The need for this work is urgent and ongoing. Every day, new Latino families embrace or are born into Islam, bringing children, questions, and a desire for resources that affirm their dual identities. Without access to culturally and linguistically relevant tools, these families risk isolation and disconnection from their faith. Hablamos Islam, and its newest initiative, HI Publications, directly addresses this gap by offering resources that promote education, representation, and a sense of belonging. As the Latino Muslim population continues to grow, I am committed to expanding this mission, insha’Allah. For me, my life’s work and the legacy I hope to leave behind is to ensure that every Latino Muslim child grows up knowing that their story, their voice, and their faith matter, insha’Allah.

Wendy Diaz