Being Latino and Muslim: Uncovering a Lost Heritage

The University of Maryland's United Muslim Advocates for Humanity hosted an interactive discussion moderated by Br. Jose Acevedo on the forgotten intersections of Latino and Islamic heritage.

Panelists included the moderator, Br. Jose Acevedo, Br. Hernán Guadalupe, Sr. Wendy Diaz, and Br. Jamal Abdul-Karim.

Latino Muslims are one of the fastest growing segments of the American Muslim community. Though not part of the 'traditional' narrative, Islam is an inescapable part of Latino heritage. “What most Latinos who have embraced Islam find most amazing is their cultural affinity to the Muslim culture,” says Wilfredo Ruiz, a Puerto Rican-born Muslim who converted a decade ago and is a lawyer for the South Florida chapter of the Council of American-Islamic Relations. “It’s like rediscovering your past. That area of our past has been hidden from us.” Latino Muslims are one of the fastest growing segments of the American Muslim community. Though not part of the 'traditional' narrative Islam is an inescapable part of Latino heritage. “What most Latinos who have embraced Islam find most amazing is their cultural affinity to the Muslim culture,” says Wilfredo Ruiz, a Puerto Rican-born Muslim who converted a decade ago and is a lawyer for the South Florida chapter of the Council of American-Islamic Relations. “It’s like rediscovering your past. That area of our past has been hidden from us.”

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