: Padilla Arrest Puts Latino Muslims in the Spotlight

Adding to the ethnic confusion surrounding converts to Islam caught in the terror dragnet, the arrest of Jose Padilla (“Abdullah Al Muhajir”) has highlighted the little seen world of Latino Muslims. With numbers estimated at up to 40,000 nationwide, Latino Muslims point out a long history of interaction with Islam going back to Moorish Spain (and nascent flourishing in Latin America). “Growing up, I was a very devout Catholic,” says Aminah Martinez, who converted in 1993. “But as I got older, I felt there were too many distractions. Islam was a faith where I felt a strong sense of belonging.” In the 27 years since Alianza Islamica (one of the first Latino Muslim groups in the country) was formed in New York, Latino Muslims have gone on to form outreach groups, literary organizations, and womens’ associations – all of whom will have their work cut out for them since the Jose Padilla landed at O’Hare.

Zahed Amanullah is associate editor of altmuslim.com.  He is based in London, England.