Number of Latino Muslims growing [View All]

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Sun, Oct. 16, 2005

Number of Latino Muslims growing

ALEXANDRA ALTER
The Miami Herald

MIAMI - Ask Melissa Matos why she converted to Islam, and you'll likely get an answer that spans 13 centuries.

She may refer to seventh century Arabia, where Muslims believe the Prophet Mohammed received the Koran from the angel Gabriel. Or she might describe Islam's golden age in medieval Spain. Or she'll recall Sept. 11, 2001, when fear and curiosity drove her to read about Islam on the Internet.

Matos, who comes from a family of Seventh Day Adventists from the Dominican Republic, has answered the question countless times since converting to Islam in April. She now covers her hair, prays five times a day, and is observing Ramadan, a month of fasting, prayer and reflection.
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Though they make up a small fraction of the nation's 6 million Muslims, Hispanic women converting to Islam are exerting influence beyond their numbers, teaching Spanish-Arabic classes, forming Hispanic-Muslim organizations and distributing Spanish translations of the Koran.
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http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/tallahassee/12914541.htm