HIspanic coming to islam
More US Hispanics drawn to Islam> More US Hispanics drawn to Islam> Marriage, post-9/11 curiosity, and a shared interest in issues>such as immigration are key reasons. > By Amy Green September 28, 2006>> ORLANDO, FLA. - With her hijab and dark complexion, Catherine>Garcia doesn't look like an Orlando native or a Disney tourist. When people >ask where she's from, often they are surprised that it's not the Middle>East but Colombia.>> That's because Ms. Garcia, a bookstore clerk who immigrated to>the US seven years ago, is Hispanic and Muslim. On this balmy afternoon at >the start of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month, she is at her mosque dressed>in long sleeves and a long skirt in keeping with the Islamic belief in>modesty. "When I was in my country I never fit in the society. Here in >Islam I feel like I fit with everything they believe," she says.>> Garcia is one of a growing number of Hispanics across the US>who have found common ground in a faith and culture bearing surprising >similarities to their own heritage. From professionals to students to>homemakers, they are drawn to the Muslim faith through marriage, curiosity>and a shared interest in issues such as immigration.>> The population of Hispanic Muslims has increased 30 percent to>some 200,000 since 1999, estimates Ali Khan, national director of the>American Muslim Council in Chicago. Many attribute the trend to a growing >interest in Islam since the 2001 terrorist attacks and also to a collision>between two burgeoning minority groups. They note that Muslims ruled Spain>centuries ago, leaving an imprint on Spanish food, music, and language. >> "Many Hispanics ... who are becoming Muslim, would say they
>are embracing their heritage, a heritage that was denied to them in a>sense," says Ihsan Bagby, professor of Arabic and Islamic studies at the\n>University of Kentucky.>> The trend has spawned Latino Islamic organizations such as the>Latino American Dawah Organization, established in 1997 by Hispanic>converts in New York City. Today the organization is nationwide.\n>> The growth in the Hispanic Muslim population is especially>prevalent in New York, Florida, California, and Texas, where Hispanic>communities are largest. In Orlando, the area\'s largest mosque, which\n>serves some 700 worshipers each week, is located in a mostly Hispanic>neighborhood. A few years ago it was rare to hear Spanish spoken at the>mosque, says Imam Muhammad Musri, president of the Islamic Society of\n>Central Florida.>> Today there is a growing demand for books in Spanish,>including the Koran, and requests for appearances on Spanish-language radio>stations, Mr. Musri says. The mosque offers a Spanish-language education\n>program in Islam for women on Saturdays. "I could easily see in the next>few years a mosque that will have Spanish services and a Hispanic imam who>will be leading the service," he says.\n>> The two groups tend to be family-oriented, religious, and>historically conservative politically, Dr. Bagby says. Many who convert are>second- and third-generation Hispanic Americans.\n>> The two groups also share an interest in social issues such as>immigration, poverty, and healthcare. Earlier this year Muslims joined>Hispanics in marches nationwide protesting immigration-reform proposals\n>they felt were unfair.>> In South Central Los Angeles, a group of Muslim UCLA students>a decade ago established a medical clinic in this underserved area. Today",1]
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>are embracing their heritage, a heritage that was denied to them in a>sense," says Ihsan Bagby, professor of Arabic and Islamic studies at the >University of Kentucky.>> The trend has spawned Latino Islamic organizations such as the>Latino American Dawah Organization, established in 1997 by Hispanic>converts in New York City. Today the organization is nationwide. >> The growth in the Hispanic Muslim population is especially>prevalent in New York, Florida, California, and Texas, where Hispanic>communities are largest. In Orlando, the area's largest mosque, which >serves some 700 worshipers each week, is located in a mostly Hispanic>neighborhood. A few years ago it was rare to hear Spanish spoken at the>mosque, says Imam Muhammad Musri, president of the Islamic Society of >Central Florida.>> Today there is a growing demand for books in Spanish,>including the Koran, and requests for appearances on Spanish-language radio>stations, Mr. Musri says. The mosque offers a Spanish-language education >program in Islam for women on Saturdays. "I could easily see in the next>few years a mosque that will have Spanish services and a Hispanic imam who>will be leading the service," he says.>> The two groups tend to be family-oriented, religious, and>historically conservative politically, Dr. Bagby says. Many who convert are>second- and third-generation Hispanic Americans. >> The two groups also share an interest in social issues such as>immigration, poverty, and healthcare. Earlier this year Muslims joined>Hispanics in marches nationwide protesting immigration-reform proposals >they felt were unfair.>> In South Central Los Angeles, a group of Muslim UCLA students>a decade ago established a medical clinic in this underserved area. Today
>the nonreligious University Muslim Medical Association Community Clinic\n>treats some 16,000 patients, mostly Hispanic, who see it as a safe place to>seek care without fear for their illegal status, says Mansur Khan, vice>chairman of the board and one of the founders.>\n> Although the clinic doesn\'t seek Muslim converts, Dr. Khan>sees Hispanics taking an interest in his faith because it focuses on>family, he says. One volunteer nurse founded a Latino Islamic organization\n>in the area. Another Hispanic woman told Khan she felt drawn to the faith>because of the head covering Muslim women wear. It reminded her of the>Virgin Mary.>> The trend is a sign that Islam is becoming more Americanized\n>and more indigenous to the country, Bagby says. As Republican positions on>issues such as immigration push Muslim Hispanics and blacks in a less>conservative direction, Islam could move in the same direction. Muslim\n>Hispanic and black involvement in American politics could demonstrate to>Muslims worldwide the virtues of democracy, eventually softening>fundamentalists. He believes the Osama bin Ladens of the world are a small\n>minority, and that most fundamentalists are moving toward engagement with>the West.>> "The more Hispanics and other Americans [who] become Muslim,>the stronger and wider the bridge between the Muslim community and the\n>general larger American community," Bagby says. "Their words and approach>have some weight because they are a source of pride for Muslims throughout>the world.">> Garcia left Colombia to study international business in the\n>US. Always religious, she considered becoming a nun when she was younger.>But her Catholic faith raised questions for her. She wondered about eating>pork when the Bible forbids it, and about praying to Mary and the saints\n",1]
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>the nonreligious University Muslim Medical Association Community Clinic >treats some 16,000 patients, mostly Hispanic, who see it as a safe place to>seek care without fear for their illegal status, says Mansur Khan, vice>chairman of the board and one of the founders.> > Although the clinic doesn't seek Muslim converts, Dr. Khan>sees Hispanics taking an interest in his faith because it focuses on>family, he says. One volunteer nurse founded a Latino Islamic organization >in the area. Another Hispanic woman told Khan she felt drawn to the faith>because of the head covering Muslim women wear. It reminded her of the>Virgin Mary.>> The trend is a sign that Islam is becoming more Americanized >and more indigenous to the country, Bagby says. As Republican positions on>issues such as immigration push Muslim Hispanics and blacks in a less>conservative direction, Islam could move in the same direction. Muslim >Hispanic and black involvement in American politics could demonstrate to>Muslims worldwide the virtues of democracy, eventually softening>fundamentalists. He believes the Osama bin Ladens of the world are a small >minority, and that most fundamentalists are moving toward engagement with>the West.>> "The more Hispanics and other Americans [who] become Muslim,>the stronger and wider the bridge between the Muslim community and the >general larger American community," Bagby says. "Their words and approach>have some weight because they are a source of pride for Muslims throughout>the world.">> Garcia left Colombia to study international business in the >US. Always religious, she considered becoming a nun when she was younger.>But her Catholic faith raised questions for her. She wondered about eating>pork when the Bible forbids it, and about praying to Mary and the saints
>and not directly to God.>> In the US she befriended Muslims and eventually converted to>Islam. Her family in Colombia was supportive. Today she says her prayers in>English, Spanish, and Arabic, and she eats Halal food in keeping with\n>Islamic beliefs.>> "It\'s the best thing that happened to me," says Garcia in>soft, broken English. "I never expected to have so many blessings and be in>peace like I am now."\n>>>>>>http://www.islamfortoday.com/america16.htm_________________________________________________________________\nAdd a Yahoo! contact to Windows Live Messenger for a chance to win a freetrip!http://www.imagine-windowslive.com/minisites/yahoo/default.aspx?locale\u003den-us&hmtagline\n-- ",1]
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>and not directly to God.>> In the US she befriended Muslims and eventually converted to>Islam. Her family in Colombia was supportive. Today she says her prayers in>English, Spanish, and Arabic, and she eats Halal food in keeping with >Islamic beliefs.>> "It's the best thing that happened to me," says Garcia in>soft, broken English. "I never expected to have so many blessings and be in>peace like I am now."
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