Islam in El Salvador
Encyclopedia
There is a small Muslim
community in El Salvador
, largely consisting of Salvadoran nationals and converts. However, the majority of the Arab
population in the country are Christian
mainly Lebanese
and Palestinian
.
There is an Islamic Cultural Association operated by the Shi'ite community, named Fatimah Az-Zahra. They published the first Islamic magazine in Central America: Revista Biblioteca Islámica. Additionally, they are credited with providing the first and only Islamic library dedicated to spreading Islamic culture in the country.
: “To say that she did not defend the faith in Jesus Christ, for being own hers the one of Moors
”. Despite this data, the authors clarify that “there is nothing related to true Muslims” but to situations related to bigamy
.
However, El Salvador did not completely escape the remarkable influence of Islamic Culture (largely brought from Al-Andalus
or Islamic Spain), which is continually reflected in local architecture
, gastronomy
, language and customs. For example, proof of this is the still existing rest of the church of Caluco in Sonsonate, considered a clear testament of Mudéjar
or Moorish architecture
in the country: additionally, the Iglesia del Pilar in San Vicente
still conserves visible legacies of this heritage.
, Lebanon
and Palestine
) primarily occurred during the early 20th century. Though few in number, their descendants have attained great economic and political power in the country, as evidenced by President Antonio Saca
— whose opponent in the 2004 election, Schafik Handal
, was likewise of Palestinian descent — and the flourishing commercial, industrial, and construction firms owned by them. However, the majority of these Middle Eastern immigrants were Christian - of the few Muslim families, little or nothing has been documented. A unique observation that should be mentioned is that it appears that these Muslim families made little effort towards spreading the Islamic religion in the country. Significant academic investigation in this field is still required to provide information concerning the history of El Salvador and the arrival of the first Muslims.
, the daughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad
from his first wife Khadija. They began diffusing Islamic literature through the Internet, inaugurating the country’s first Islamic Website that includes the publication of a quarterly magazine and that currently counts more than 100 digitized Islamic books. In 2007, a third masjid called the Mezquita Dar-Ibrahim, was inaugurated in San Salvador
.
, distributing literature, charitable activities, online propagation and donating informative materials on Islam to various religious and cultural institutions throughout the country. For example, the Fátimah Az-Zahra Islamic Center provides introductory classes on Islamic doctrine and history. These classes, which are open to the general public, are not solely religious in nature: courses in foreign languages and efforts to improve adult literacy are also offered.
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
community in El Salvador
El Salvador
El Salvador or simply Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. The country's capital city and largest city is San Salvador; Santa Ana and San Miguel are also important cultural and commercial centers in the country and in all of Central America...
, largely consisting of Salvadoran nationals and converts. However, the majority of the Arab
Arab
Arab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
population in the country are Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
mainly Lebanese
Lebanese people
The Lebanese people are a nation and ethnic group of Levantine people originating in what is today the country of Lebanon, including those who had inhabited Mount Lebanon prior to the creation of the modern Lebanese state....
and Palestinian
Palestinian people
The Palestinian people, also referred to as Palestinians or Palestinian Arabs , are an Arabic-speaking people with origins in Palestine. Despite various wars and exoduses, roughly one third of the world's Palestinian population continues to reside in the area encompassing the West Bank, the Gaza...
.
There is an Islamic Cultural Association operated by the Shi'ite community, named Fatimah Az-Zahra. They published the first Islamic magazine in Central America: Revista Biblioteca Islámica. Additionally, they are credited with providing the first and only Islamic library dedicated to spreading Islamic culture in the country.
Background
Currently, there have yet to be any precise and conclusive historical studies on the arrival of the first Muslims to the country. Despite this, some investigators have attempted to highlight some events that they use to try approximating this phenomenon. According to an academic work authored by Pedro Escalante and Abraham Daura entitled Sobre Moros y Cristianos, y otros Arabismos en El Salvador, the first appearance of Muslims occurred during the country’s period as a Spanish colony. It is written in the aforesaid work that in the year 1619 a man named Pedro Soriano was judged by a court of Santa InquisiciónSpanish Inquisition
The Tribunal of the Holy Office of the Inquisition , commonly known as the Spanish Inquisition , was a tribunal established in 1480 by Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. It was intended to maintain Catholic orthodoxy in their kingdoms, and to replace the Medieval...
: “To say that she did not defend the faith in Jesus Christ, for being own hers the one of Moors
Moors
The description Moors has referred to several historic and modern populations of the Maghreb region who are predominately of Berber and Arab descent. They came to conquer and rule the Iberian Peninsula for nearly 800 years. At that time they were Muslim, although earlier the people had followed...
”. Despite this data, the authors clarify that “there is nothing related to true Muslims” but to situations related to bigamy
Bigamy
In cultures that practice marital monogamy, bigamy is the act of entering into a marriage with one person while still legally married to another. Bigamy is a crime in most western countries, and when it occurs in this context often neither the first nor second spouse is aware of the other...
.
However, El Salvador did not completely escape the remarkable influence of Islamic Culture (largely brought from Al-Andalus
Al-Andalus
Al-Andalus was the Arabic name given to a nation and territorial region also commonly referred to as Moorish Iberia. The name describes parts of the Iberian Peninsula and Septimania governed by Muslims , at various times in the period between 711 and 1492, although the territorial boundaries...
or Islamic Spain), which is continually reflected in local architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
, gastronomy
Gastronomy
Gastronomy is the art or science of food eating. Also, it can be defined as the study of food and culture, with a particular focus on gourmet cuisine...
, language and customs. For example, proof of this is the still existing rest of the church of Caluco in Sonsonate, considered a clear testament of Mudéjar
Mudéjar
Mudéjar is the name given to individual Moors or Muslims of Al-Andalus who remained in Iberia after the Christian Reconquista but were not converted to Christianity...
or Moorish architecture
Moorish architecture
Moorish architecture is the western term used to describe the articulated Berber-Islamic architecture of North Africa and Al-Andalus.-Characteristic elements:...
in the country: additionally, the Iglesia del Pilar in San Vicente
San Vicente
San Vicente can refer to:*Argentina**San Vicente, Buenos Aires**San Vicente Partido*Bolivia**San Vicente Canton, Bolivia and its seat San Vicente*Chile**San Vicente, Chile*Colombia**San Vicente del Caguán** San Vicente, Antioquia...
still conserves visible legacies of this heritage.
20th Century Immigration
The arrival of families emigrating from Arabic countries (SyriaSyria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
, Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
and Palestine
Palestine
Palestine is a conventional name, among others, used to describe the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, and various adjoining lands....
) primarily occurred during the early 20th century. Though few in number, their descendants have attained great economic and political power in the country, as evidenced by President Antonio Saca
Antonio Saca
Elías Antonio Saca González is a Salvadoran politician and was the President of El Salvador. He was elected President in 2004 to serve a five-year term that ended in 2009....
— whose opponent in the 2004 election, Schafik Handal
Schafik Handal
Schafik Jorge Handal was a Salvadoran politician. Born in Usulután, he was the son of Palestinian Arab immigrants.-Biography:...
, was likewise of Palestinian descent — and the flourishing commercial, industrial, and construction firms owned by them. However, the majority of these Middle Eastern immigrants were Christian - of the few Muslim families, little or nothing has been documented. A unique observation that should be mentioned is that it appears that these Muslim families made little effort towards spreading the Islamic religion in the country. Significant academic investigation in this field is still required to provide information concerning the history of El Salvador and the arrival of the first Muslims.
Establishment of the First Islamic Centers in El Salvador
In 1994, the first center of Sunni Islamic worship was inaugurated in El Salvador, named Centro Islámico Árabe Salvadoreño, founded in the capital city of San Salvador by a group of Salvadorian nationals and individuals of Palestinian ancestry. One decade later (2004) a second mosque was inaugurated in the capital: however, unlike the first center, this group consisted of adherents to the Shia branch of Islam. They named their Islamic Center Fátimah Az-Zahra, in honor of FatimahFatimah
Fatimah was a daughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad from his first wife Khadijah bint Khuwaylid. She is regarded by Muslims as an exemplar for men and women. She remained at her father's side through the difficulties suffered by him at the hands of the Quraysh of Mecca...
, the daughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad
Muhammad
Muhammad |ligature]] at U+FDF4 ;Arabic pronunciation varies regionally; the first vowel ranges from ~~; the second and the last vowel: ~~~. There are dialects which have no stress. In Egypt, it is pronounced not in religious contexts...
from his first wife Khadija. They began diffusing Islamic literature through the Internet, inaugurating the country’s first Islamic Website that includes the publication of a quarterly magazine and that currently counts more than 100 digitized Islamic books. In 2007, a third masjid called the Mezquita Dar-Ibrahim, was inaugurated in San Salvador
San Salvador
The city of San Salvador the capital and largest city of El Salvador, which has been designated a Gamma World City. Its complete name is La Ciudad de Gran San Salvador...
.
Islamic Center Activities
The Islamic Centers are generally involved in performing the Friday congregational prayers known as Salaat-al-JummahJumu'ah
Jumu'ah is a congregational prayer that Muslims hold every Friday, just after noon in lieu of dhuhr...
, distributing literature, charitable activities, online propagation and donating informative materials on Islam to various religious and cultural institutions throughout the country. For example, the Fátimah Az-Zahra Islamic Center provides introductory classes on Islamic doctrine and history. These classes, which are open to the general public, are not solely religious in nature: courses in foreign languages and efforts to improve adult literacy are also offered.
External links
- El Sitio de Los Musulmanes Shiítas de El Salvador
- Oficina de Divulgación Islámica, San Salvador, San Salvador
- Centro Islámico