For Muslims in the United States, political success and public recognition remain limited milestones. When a Muslim is elected to office, it sparks excitement and even disbelief. Many Muslims may not realize, however, that in Latin America, Muslims and immigrants of Arab descent have made notable contributions in politics, business, and culture for decades. In contrast to the United States, where Muslims are only now beginning to break into political leadership, Latin America has a long history of Muslim participation in public life, with some individuals reaching the highest levels of government. In the U.S., when a Muslim candidate runs for office, there is often an outpouring of support simply because they are among the first to achieve such a feat. In Latin America, by comparison, Muslims have long been active in civic life, demonstrating that faith and heritage can be a source of influence and leadership rather than a barrier.
As Muslim parents, it is our responsibility to help our children understand the richness and diversity of the global Muslim community. Learning about the historical and contemporary accomplishments of Muslims in Latin America, whether in politics, business, or culture, offers children a broader perspective on how our identity can be a source of strength. Sharing stories of Muslim leaders, immigrants, and communities who overcame obstacles to thrive, we can help children appreciate that Islam has long been intertwined with human progress beyond U.S. borders.
According to history.com, “Starting in the late 19th century, immigrants from the Ottoman Empire began to migrate to the United States to find work or escape political conflicts. This immigration slowed in 1924, when the U.S. government instituted immigration quotas that prioritized people from northern and western Europe, and picked up again after 1965, when the United States got rid of this quota system1.” Those immigration quotas are what I like to refer to as the Muslim Ban 1.0. During the first Muslim ban, immigrants from the Islamic World did not stop migrating in search of better opportunities; they just rerouted to the lower half of the Americas. Large waves of Arab immigrants arrived in countries like Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These communities integrated into society, maintaining cultural and religious practices while also participating in commerce, media, and politics.
Many of the immigrants to Latin America were Muslim, coming from Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine. That migration has continued until today. Currently, Muslim communities in Latin America consist primarily of people from those same countries and other majority-Muslim nations, as well as indigenous converts. Children may be surprised to learn that “Muslim bans” are not a recent phenomenon limited to today’s politics. They have been an unfortunate part of history, such as the U.S. immigration quotas in the early 20th century. Yet, even in the face of such restrictions, there was a silver lining: these policies inadvertently led to the establishment and growth of Muslim communities throughout Latin America.
The Race for Acceptance in Latin America
One notable factor in the success of Muslims in Latin America is the region’s approach to race and ethnicity. As reported by La Nación, an Argentine newspaper, “Latino Americans do not pay much attention to a person’s ethnic background. In contrast, in Europe or the United States, both discrimination and Islamophobia repeatedly resurface2.” This relative openness allowed Muslim immigrants and their descendants to integrate more easily, participate in public life, and contribute to society without facing the same systemic barriers experienced in other parts of the world. It also helps explain why Muslim communities in countries like Argentina, Chile, and Brazil have been able to flourish culturally, politically, and economically, sometimes achieving milestones that remain rare in the U.S.
Unlike in the U.S., where Islamophobia and discriminatory policies have delayed Muslim political representation, Latin American Muslims have historically been able to thrive and reach leadership positions with relative ease. Compare that to Muslims here in the United States, some of whom discriminate against immigrants from Latin America or support policies that seek to ban them from entering the country. Latin America, by contrast, welcomed Muslim immigrants with open arms, without questioning their faith or ethnic background. This contrast should give us all pause and serve as a lesson for us and our children. While we face challenges in our own communities, we also have a responsibility to model inclusivity, compassion, and fairness, reflecting the best values of Islam.
Dr. Waleed Hakeem, “the traveling imam,” highlighted in a Facebook post, Argentina is home to the largest Muslim community and the largest mosque in South America, the King Fahd Islamic Centre in Buenos Aires, built in 1996. He traces the Muslim presence in Argentina back five centuries, with some even linking it to a 9th-century Muslim Emirate, as early Muslims arrived following their expulsion from Spain, seeking new lands1.
While the early generations of Muslims in Argentina often practiced their faith quietly, later waves of immigrants in the 19th century, including Arabs fleeing the Ottoman Empire, helped expand the community. Today, over four million Argentinians are of Arab descent, with more than one million practicing Muslims. Notably, Carlos Menem, a former president of Argentina, was born a Muslim to Syrian parents. Dr. Hakeem emphasized that Muslims in Argentina enjoy religious freedom far exceeding that in many European countries. Legal protections against discrimination exist, and Muslims can freely practice their faith, including wearing hijab in public spaces, in schools, and for official identification. The community also serves as a center for dawah and social engagement, highlighting the positive integration and influence of Islam in Latin America.
Muslims and individuals of Arab descent have significantly influenced Latin American politics, business, and culture. Over the past century, at least 11 Latin American countries have elected presidents of Arab origin, including Carlos Menem of Argentina, Michel Temer of Brazil, and Nayib Bukele of El Salvador2. Bukele’s father, Armando Bukele, was a descendant of Palestinian Christian immigrants who converted to Islam and founded some of the country’s first Islamic centers. These leaders have shaped national policies and fostered stronger ties between Latin America and the Arab world. In the business realm, Carlos Slim, a Lebanese Mexican, became the world's richest person for several years.
In an article by HipLatina featuring prominent Latino celebrities of Arab origin, writer V. Alexandra de F. Szoenyi, mentioned that “Latin America has the largest number of Arabs outside of the Middle East, with anywhere between 17 to 30 million people3.” Culturally, figures like Shakira, born to a Lebanese Christian father, have brought global attention to Latin American music and dance, while also demonstrating the region's diverse heritage. These accomplishments show how Muslims and Arab descendants have profoundly shaped the social, political, and cultural landscape of Latin America.
At the same time, children need to understand that some Muslim-born or raised celebrities and political figures chose to leave their faith behind to gain influence or acceptance. Here in the U.S., Muslims who aspire to or are working in leadership positions practice their faith openly, demonstrating that it is possible to succeed while remaining true to Islam. This is a powerful lesson for our children: they can aspire to greatness while keeping their religious identity intact.
Yes, Latin American Muslims Exist!
Regardless of the longstanding ties that exist, Muslims I encounter are still surprised to learn about the connection between Muslims and Latin America. It is common for me personally to hear, “I’ve never met a Puerto Rican or Latino Muslim!” My response always involves a history lesson, one that I hope readers will communicate to their children.
In Puerto Rico alone, there are eight or nine masajid, a reflection of Palestinian migrations in the early 1900s and 1950s. Many Palestinians were fleeing conflict and, due to the U.S. Muslim ban of 1924, found refuge in Latin America instead. Huge Muslim communities exist throughout the region in places like Chile, Honduras, Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil, and Argentina. Chile, in fact, hosts the largest Palestinian Muslim population outside the Middle East. These migrations not only provided safety for those fleeing hardship but also helped reawaken Islam in a region where it had deep historical roots dating back to European colonization. Now the communities comprise immigrants and their descendants, as well as indigenous converts and their descendants.
The Muslim influence flowed through generations, shaping communities and contributing to what is now Latin America. As I often remind people, Latin American Muslims are not new to the faith or the region; we have been here for centuries, with Islam running through our veins. I encourage parents to share this with their children, so they understand that Muslims have long contributed to societies far from majority Muslim nations, thriving despite challenges and maintaining their faith. From Puerto Rico to Argentina, Muslims have shaped culture, politics, and commerce. Teaching our children this history helps instill pride, connection to the broader Ummah, and an understanding that faith and success go hand in hand.
- https://www.history.com/articles/arab-american-immigration-timeline
- https://www.lanacion.com.ar/el-mundo/por-que-los-arabes-se-integraron-mejor-en-america-latina-que-en-europa-o-eeuu-nid22012022/
- https://www.facebook.com/thetravellingimam/posts/did-you-know-that-argentina-has-the-largest-muslim-community-and-largest-mosque-/721712015985297/
- https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191224-11-presidents-in-latin-america-have-had-arab-origins/
- https://hiplatina.com/arab-latinos/
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