Islam In Colombia

Issue 56 May 2009

Review by Sherif Simon Quinn

Islam and Colombia may seem like juxtaposition in terms, but a fund-raising event held at the Regents Park Mosque on 21st March for the small but rapidly growing population of Muslims in Colombia opened my eyes to this blossoming community of Muslims halfway around the world.

Yusuf Chambers of Peace TV, explained how Christian groups are making huge inroads into Islamic countries by actively proselytising their faith, and urged Muslims to realise that we needed to provide a network of support to Muslims in places where Islam was not the majority faith.

He was followed by a Colombian convert to Islam, Mustafa Herrera. He shared the curious story of how he became Muslim to a spellbound audience of over 100 packed into a small room. Following his arrival in the UK to learn English 11 years ago, he made Muslim friends and through their influence eventually embraced Islam.

He called home to tell his mother who, believing that he must have been ‘brainwashed by a sect’ immediately sent his older brother, David to rescue him. However after extensively discussing his brother’s decision to convert, David too embraced Islam. Calling home, David told his mother he had good news. She asked excitedly whether her son had reverted to Catholicism. David replied ‘No, but I have also become a Muslim!’ The poor woman was in complete shock, but reconciled with her sons and also eventually accepted Islam.

There are 20,000 Muslims in Colombia – most of whom are converts. It is these people who are most active in da’wah (inviting others to Islam). There are a small number of Palestinians and other Muslim-born Colombians but according to Mustafa, groups tend to keep their religion private. In contrast, his brother Dawud (David) is very active in the budding Colombian Muslim community as he explained in a video clip shot in their mosque in Colombia (actually a converted villa): ‘I had the desire to do da’wah the moment I embraced Islam’. The Colombian Da’wah Project was the result of this inspiration, though the project is struggling for financial assistance to keep the mosque open which costs £500 a month.

Dawud explained how many in Columbia were disappointed with Catholicism but are open to talking about God. They are God-fearing people, and have strong family values. Unlike in Europe or North America there appears to be little prejudice or baggage to Islam as a religion.

Abdulraheem Green then gave an inspiring speech which galvanised the audience, saying that it is vital that new Muslims are supported, as in the US 70% of those who embrace Islam leave their new-found religion. Very quickly he had commitments from dozens of the audience to contribute funds.

The event ended with a delicious buffet of Colombian dishes and a room full of people enlightened about a topic rarely addressed.

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