U.S. Latina/o Muslims Since 1920: From “Moors” to “Latino Muslims”

Abstract

This article provides a historical overview of the development of the U.S. Latina/o Muslim community. U.S. Latina/os have been converting to Islam since the 1920s. Early converts were primarily found in African‐American‐majority Islamic communities, though there were some others who entered Islam through ties to Muslim immigrants. In both cases, the U.S.'s racist social system had brought the two communities together. In New York City during the 1970s, however, a group of around a dozen Latina/o Muslims felt that neither the African‐American‐majority nor the immigrant‐majority communities sufficiently addressed Latina/os' particular culture, languages, social situations, and contributions to Islamic history. To correct this, they created the first known U.S. Latina/o Muslim organisation, the Alianza Islamica, a group which fostered a “Latino Muslim” identity. Since that time, due to the growing numbers of U.S. Latina/o Muslims, as well as a tendency to foster ties with Latina/o Muslims in countries outside of the U.S., U.S. Latina/o Muslims are more and more adopting the “Latino Muslim” identity, which is now being promoted by several organisations and prominent leaders.

The explanatory role of religious identity, practices and beliefs in perceived discrimination among Muslim American racial/ethnic groups

“…Research shows that neither African American nor Muslim immigrant communities, where early Hispanic converts were found, could adequately address Hispanic Muslims' cultural backgrounds and social and institutional needs (Bowen, 2013). This led to the emergence of several Latina/o Muslim organizations that promoted a "Latino Muslim" identity given the fast growth of Latino converts and the need to establish connections with Latino Muslims outside of the United States (Bowen, 2013). Furthermore, Hispanic Muslims are at the bottom of socioeconomic scale making the lowest percentage of respondents who hold college and postgraduate degrees and home ownership (Table 1).…”

“…The intersection of three disadvantaged statuses that Hispanic Muslims hold in the Muslim community, larger society and Latino community contributes to their marginalization (Zainiddinov, 2016a, b). Research shows that neither African American nor Muslim immigrant communities, where early Hispanic converts were found, could adequately address Hispanic Muslims' cultural backgrounds and social and institutional needs (Bowen, 2013). This led to the emergence of several Latina/o Muslim organizations that promoted a “Latino Muslim” identity given the fast growth of Latino converts and the need to establish connections with Latino Muslims outside of the United States (Bowen, 2013).…”

“…With regard to Hispanic Muslims, the previous 2007 Pew survey did not list it as a separate category. Latina/os who have been converting to Islam in the United States since the 1920s are growing fast (Bowen, 2013). The 2011 Pew survey reflects this trend.…”

Latina/o Conversion and Miracle-Seeking at a Buddhist Temple

“…This seems to go against what we have seen in larger trends for Latinos who seek wealth in churches who promote the prosperity gospel. The prosperity gospel has had worldwide growth and arose from a charismatic and Pentecostal stream-the very denominations that have seen large Latino growth in Latin American and the USA-but monetary wealth only seems to play a minor role in drawing Latinos to TLMC (Bowen 2013).…”

“…Over the last several decades, numerous studies have increasingly theorized about and examined the reasons why Americans switch religions, but less research has explored religious mobility among Latinos (Ellison and Sherkat 1995;Hunt 1999;Musick and Wilson 1995;Perl et al 2006;Sandomirsky and Wilson 1990;Sherkat and Wilson 1995;Skirbekk et al 2010;Sullins 1993). Even less have explored Latino switching trends outside of Christianity (Bowen 2013;Martinez-Vazquez 2010;Steigenga and Cleary 2007). The majority of previous studies have focused on Latino Catholic conversion to Protestantism, often focusing on conversion after being raised Catholic (Hunt 1999;Perl et al 2006;Ramos et al 2017).…”