Latino Muslims: the media’s latest obsession?

by guest contributor Tariq Nelson, originally published at Tariq Nelson

There have been soooo many articles about Hispanics/Latinos (particularly Latinas) and their interest in Islam. Nothing else to write about? Why not yet another article on Latin Muslims? One has to wonder why so much emphasis has been put on Latino Muslims in the media lately.

I suppose since the biggest media issues have been Muslims and Mexican illegal immigration, this would be the perfect hybrid story. It’s just that they’ve gone there so many times…

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.

Update: Since I wrote this noting the large number of articles talking about Latino (particularly females) Muslims, there have been two more. This one and this one. Perhaps I am overreacting here, but I listed at least ten articles talking about Latin Muslim over the past five years. Several other articles had dead links. Don’t get me wrong, I think it is wonderful for people to discuss this subject, but it seems that the media is going to the well a few too many times to the point it seems abnormal.

Other articles of a similar nature:

More U.S. Hispanics Drawn to Islam -Christian Science Monitor

More U.S. Hispanics Drawn to Islam – CBS News

Older links:

Latino Muslims seek answers – 8/22/2006

Latino women finding a place in Islam – 9/30/2005

US Latinas seek answers in Islam – 12/27/2004

Latino Muslims a growing presence in America – 6/2003

Number of Hispanic Muslim converts growing – 2002 (Originally from Houston Chronicle)

Islam luring more Latinos – 01/07/2001 (Originally in Washington Post)

The Emerging Latino Muslim Community in America – 2003

Latino Muslims in America: the Rebirth of a Community