Is your Islamic center Latino-friendly? It should be. Every Hispanic Heritage Month, I receive requests to write about Latinos in Islam, present a Latin American-inspired story time, speak about the Latino experience at a local masjid, or organize a special event celebrating Hispanic heritage. While I appreciate these efforts, the conversation usually stops there. The emails cease, and the phone goes silent. Latino Muslims represent the fastest-growing segment of the Muslim community in the United States, currently accounting for 9 percent and not far behind Arab American Muslims at 12 percent.¹ Yet, even in 2026, I find it alarming how little Hispanic or Latino outreach is taking place in our masajid. Adding another layer to the conversation, documented marriages between Latinos and Muslims of other ethnic backgrounds have been taking place for generations. Still, much of our leadership seems blissfully unaware of the fully Latino and blended Latino-Muslim families in our midst. Muslim leaders and community members must collectively ask themselves what they are doing to serve this growing demographic and make Muslim spaces more welcoming to Latinos in general.
As a Puerto Rican woman who has been involved in dawah work for most of my 26 years as a Muslim, I am here to offer some practical tips. This is not the first time I have addressed this ongoing problem, but I am taking a different approach. Rather than simply listing grievances or raising awareness, I want to offer some possible solutions. Whether you serve on a mosque committee or board or are simply a concerned community member, this advice is for you. How you choose to put this commitment into practice is up to you, but I hope you will implement as many of the following suggestions as you can.
Practical Steps for Creating a Latino-Friendly Community
The following are some practical steps Islamic centers can take to welcome Latinos throughout the year:
1. Offer bilingual signage, flyers, and website content.
Spanish is the second most widely spoken language in the United States, and that is not going to change anytime soon. No matter how many xenophobes or white Christian nationalists shout, “This is America! Speak English!” Spanish is here to stay. It is also the most widely studied second language in the country. Therefore, Islamic centers would do well to provide signs, event flyers, and other written materials in Spanish. If they can include additional languages, that would be even better.
2. Provide classes and khutbahs in Spanish.
As mentioned above, Islamic centers should consider who attends their mosques to ensure they meet their needs. Some Islamic centers on the East Coast offer simultaneous interpretation through headsets, while others host programs, classes, or khutbahs in Spanish. Either approach speaks volumes about the care a community takes to ensure that everyone feels welcomed and supported, regardless of their background.
3. Hire Spanish-speaking staff and volunteers.
This point cannot be overemphasized. I cannot begin to count how many times I have received a text or phone call alerting me that a Spanish-speaking individual stopped by a mosque seeking information but could not find anyone who could communicate with them. Simply visiting a masjid for the first time can feel like a huge undertaking for someone who is just beginning to learn about Islam. Imagine putting yourself in that position, finally making it there, and discovering that no one understands you. Having Spanish-speaking staff or volunteers would help prevent this situation. If that is not possible, Islamic centers should consider contracting a reliable interpreter service.
4. Invest in bilingual materials.
A few decades ago, Spanish-language materials about Islam were difficult to find. Since then, national organizations have begun mass-producing Spanish materials for distribution. Islamic centers can easily order Spanish brochures and Qurans from organizations such as the Furqaan Foundation, GainPeace, and WhyIslam. Having these resources readily available can make a tremendous difference for Spanish-speaking visitors and community members.
5. Host Latino-centered events and open houses regularly.
Latino-centered events should not be limited to Hispanic Heritage Month. There is no excuse for mosques located near Latino neighborhoods not to host open houses or other events that welcome their neighbors into the community. These gatherings demonstrate that Muslims are friendly and approachable and that Islam is not exclusive to certain ethnic groups, such as South Asians, Africans, or Arabs – a common misconception among Latinos.
6. Teach your congregation about Islam in Latin America.
Remind community members about the rich history of Islam in Latin America, including its influence on the region’s cultures, its historical ties, and its existing Muslim communities. Sadly, many Muslims are unaware of the history of Islam in the Americas, which predates the United States’ Declaration of Independence. Many also do not realize that millions of Muslims live throughout Latin America today. Once we understand that our histories and roots are intertwined, we can begin to see one another as allies rather than “others.”
7. Include Latino Muslims in leadership and build relationships with Latino-led organizations.
Consider having at least one Latino Muslim board member with a voice in community decisions. Islamic centers must also establish connections with Latino Muslim leaders. There are dozens of Latino-led Islamic organizations in the United States, but you might never know unless you do your research. Take the time to identify these organizations in your local community or find the one nearest to you. Build lasting partnerships to collaborate on programs, events, and classes.
Last but not least, assess your local community's needs and make serving Latinos a priority. Be welcoming both as individuals and as a collective. Approach this work with a positive mindset, beginning with something as simple as a smile. The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
“Every good deed is charity. Verily, it is a good deed to meet your brother with a smiling face, and to pour what is left from your bucket into your brother’s vessel” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi 1970).
While some may argue that these words apply only to interactions among believers, we must remember that the Prophet was sent as a mercy to all humankind. Rather than viewing others as outsiders, we should regard them as our brothers and sisters in humanity. Every human being has the potential to believe, but perhaps they have not yet been given the opportunity to learn about Islam. Therefore, we have a duty to make the knowledge we have been blessed with accessible to our Latino neighbors. That effort begins by extending an invitation and graciously welcoming them into our spaces.
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