More and more Mayan and Tzotzil people in the Mexican state Chiapas are becoming Muslims. It's fifteen years since the Zapatista uprising in Chiapas and the region has undergone some profound changes. One of them is the emergence of Islam as a new religion in the state. The Muslim community, dominated by converted Mayans and Tzotzils , is slowly gaining ground.
By Jan-Albert Hootsen
Molino de los Arcos is one of the poorest neighbourhoods of San Cristóbal de las Casas, the second largest city in Chiapas and popular with tourists for its colonial beauty. The barrio is ethnically almost entirely indigenous, with Tzotzil Mayan as the dominant language. On Fridays, though, you can hear the slow, monotonous Arab chants of Muslim prayer. In a wooden shack, painted with Arab religious phrases, some twenty Tzotzil Muslim families have established a small place of worship.
"This is where we cleanse our spirits and pray to Allah. Not everyone came today, some people have to work," Imam Salvador Lopez Lopez smiles. "But we are doing well. Our community is still small, we are maybe two hundred, but little by little we're growing."
Lopez converted to Islam in 1995 and adopted the Arab name of Muhammad Amin. He was one of the first Tzotzils to embrace the religion. He describes his conversion as a tough, two-year period of soul searching. "There is a lot of ignorance in Chiapas about Islam. Nobody really knew what it was and at first I myself wasn't sure it was the thing for me. My family didn't agree with it either at first. It was hard."
Alternative to capitalism
There have always been Muslims in Mexico, but they were usually immigrants from Muslim countries in Africa and the Middle East. It wasn't until 1995, when Spanish Muslims led by Aureliano Pérez left for Mexico to spread the word of Allah, that Mexicans themselves started converting to Islam.
The arrival of the Spanish can be seen in direct relation to the uprising of the Zapatista rebels in Chiapas, in 1994. They saw the impoverished state as fertile ground for the principles of Islam. Indigenous Mayans and Tzotzils have led marginalised lives ever since the Spanish conquest in the 16th century. They live in extreme poverty, suffer exploitation by corrupt governments and racism by white and mestizo Mexicans (people with mixed European and Native American racial origin). Alcoholism among indigenous Mexicans is rampant.
The Mayans and Tzotzils belong to the Murabitun movement within Sunni Islam, which upholds a strict ban on the use of alcohol and profits made on money lending. It has proven to be attractive to indigenous Chiapanecos as a viable alternative to capitalism. Yet Muhammad Amin stresses that Islam is not just for indigenous Chiapanecos: "Allah makes no distinction between race. We welcome everyone."
Zapatist Muslims
The social component in Chiapaneco Islam did present itself in its early days though, when the Muslims under Nafia offered to support the Zapatista rebels of Subcomandante Marcos. Many Zapatista rebels, who fight for indigenous rights and land reform, are Tzotzils. A number of them did convert, even though Marcos was hesitant at first. The Mexican government was alarmed and started monitoring the presence of Islam. Former president Vicente Fox even accused them of having links with Al-Qaeda, although solid proof was never presented.
Muhammad Amin chuckles when he refers to these accusations. "We have no links whatsoever with any foreign group of Muslims, and we have no problem with any other religion here. Islam means peace, we respect everyone around us."
That doesn't mean that Christians responded positively to their new competitors. Andrés Ferrer, who now goes by the Arab name of Muyahid, converted to Islam in 1998. He's had to overcome a lot of prejudice:
"Many people reacted badly, because they have no idea what Islam is. Some of them even called us terrorists. My own family called me crazy!"
Islamic pizza restaurant
Despite the opposition Islam is doing well in Chiapas. The Muslims have opened a madrasah or Qur'an school, an Islamic mission, a carpenter's shop and a pizza restaurant. They teach Arabic to new converts and even organize the hajj or pilgrimage to Mecca, which many indigenous Muslims have already undertaken. Islam is growing slowly but surely, says Imam Lopez:
"In this particular mosque there are seventeen Islamic families now. Gradually more people are opening themselves up to the word of Allah. Yes, I think we are here to stay."
The mosque in Molino de ArcosRNW
Tzotzil muslims prayingRNW
Imam Salvador Lopez Lopez, or Muhammad Amin, prayingRNW
Molino de Arcos, one of the poorest neighbourhoods in San Cristóbal, where the mosque isRNW
Molino de Arcos, one of the poorest neighbourhoods in San Cristóbal, where the mosque isRNW
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PICK OF THE DAY
We have to continue to respect everyone's religious beliefs. If we don't then it is hard to have peace. Office Furniture
I believe with all my heart that you are wrong, you can't expect to exploit the downtrodden souls looking for a cause. They are living in hell on earth, confused their heart in chains unable to guide them. In the end Jesus will save these people who are being pimped in this terrible way. He will save you too my friend. If you want him to. I have faith in the U.S. Military in the meantime. Even Obama, the bum, knows how to use it!! See you in Heaven!
Infact the persons who are criticizing Islam donot know even ABC of Islam.
I hope they will read the teachings of Islam and then will comment unbiased.
the religion should be judged by the teachings of the religions and not the evil doers.
hope you people will stop fight and try to keep the true spirit of the post...
be calm and respect others.. this is the thought for today.
surah ikhlas chapter 112
1. say he is Allah [who is] one
2. Allah, the absolute and eternal
3. He begets not nor is he begotton
4.nor is there to Him any equivalent
I dont thing a little child will know about D Threenity,..that D problems with christianity about the concept of threenity is confusing,..GOD NEVER MAKE US CONFUSE PEOPLES,ONE GOD,..ONE GOD..THE MESSAGE STILL D SAME FROM ADAM TO MUHAMMAD WHORSHIPE ONE TRUE GOD ONLY, DONT WHORSHIPE HIS CREATION..THAT WHY ISLAM IS SO SIMPLE EVEN LITTLE KID UNDERSTAND,..OH OK.. I UNDERSTAND U CHRISTIAN SO SMART SO U PEOPLES LIKE TO PLAY AROUND WITH UR HEAD A LITTLE,.SO THREENITY is UR PICK,..wake up,..
onfusing,..GOD NEVER MAKE US CONFUSE PEOPLES,ONE GOD,..ONE GOD..THE MESSAGE STILL D SAME FROM ADAM TO MUHAMMAD WHORSHIPE ONE TRUE GOD ONLY, DONT WHORSHIPE HIS CREATION..THAT WHY ISLAM IS SO SIMPLE EVEN LITTLE KI
Islam will enter every house and every tent." These are the words of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Are you in doubt??
in the usa every year mor than 20 000 people convert to islam,in eorop even more.:-D
Islam is an evil cult because they do not recognize the Jews as the Chosen people and instead believe that Arabs are.
not everyone believes jews are the chosen people you ignoramus. just the jews and you :-)
They are the chosen people , the Bible says so. You must be a ignoramus and a muzzl lol
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I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only begotten son, our Lord.
By the power of the holy spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary and became Man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, suffered died and was buried.
He descended to the dead. On the 3rd day he rose again, in fullfillment of the scriptures.
He ascened into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the father.
He will come again in Glory to judge the living and the dead. His Kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the holy spirit, the lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the father and the son, who with the father and the son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken thru the prophets. We believe in one holy Catholic and apostolic church, we acknowledge one baptism for the forgivenss of sins, we look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.
you claimed "Jesus claimed he was God".
REPLY:
Just show us ONE verse from any version of the Christian bible where Jesus say:
"I am God" or "Worship me" or
"God is 3" or
"God is the father, son & holy ghost" or "Trinity"
The Holy Quraan has been unchanged for 1428 years. The Bible however has been changed time and time again. Theres only one Quraan, how many Bibles are there? countless numbers. Christians are just confused, study your own Bible in detail, read the song of solomon in hebrew, the name Muhammad is there, or are you too thick to see that?Those were Jesus' (peace be upon him)own words. paraclete in greek means "the praiseworthy", Muhammad means "the praise worthy" in Arabic, in fact Paraklytos is translated as Muhammad in Aramaic. Prophet Muhammad was mentioned by name in the bible by jesus pbuh himself and also in the song of Solomon. Christianity is a man made pagan religion, i advise all Christians to accept the truth, which is nothing but Islam!
even the word "Christian" itself.
Poverty pimps. I believe with all my heart that the American people cannot be fooled. Albeit, some people will always be fooled. Long enough to elect our current president in fact. However, as a nation, America is very much awake. I ran into poverty pimps as a child growing up on Haight St. As long as our nation remains a land of opportunity for freedom loving people, we will ALWAYS win.
Wake up you Idiot, in America only the last Year there more than 20 000 people who are converted to Islam.
The Muslims were born from Abraham's bastard son Ishmael, they desperately try to relate their cult to Judeo-Christianity, but we all know they are just a bunch of wannabe's. Europe is tiring of their shit, as well as Americans. They are getting very cocky because of the liberal's tolerance, but they forget the silent majority of people in America who would ship them all back to the desert from whence they came the first chance we get. If you think we will tolerate you taking over our country, you are sorely mistaken. We are Americans, rebels of the world, we don't care what our government says.
It is just funny to read how DESPERATE muslims become to get to any country. On the other hand, they TOTALLY overlook that behind the scenes - unreported-almost unnoticed- message of GOD's SON, JESUS CHRIST, is reaching every "TA ETHNA" -- every ethnic group.
As He said it himself, "....this Gospel will be preached to every 'ta ethna', and then the end will come".
Islime' message is inferior to Christ's message. Why? It is primitized version of early judaism. This is how BAD muslims want to be included in judaic superiority of representing religion of TRUE GOD. They even steal the story from Abraham' time, when GOD's preference was on child born of wife, Sarah, not servant, Egyptian woman Hagar.
Oh.
And not to overlook: Jesus said to Samaritan woman (Palestinian, there ye go). "You worship what you don't know. Salvation comes from Jews"
Educate yourself, and do not get entangled with illogicality of inferior imperialistic system aka. islime.
learn english.
In 2025 Europ gonna be a MUSLIM Contenent,an thats for sure,you can say any thing you want,you can write any thing you want,islam is the Fastest growing Religion on Earth, if you don´t like it kill your self like some did in Germany.
ALLAHU AKBAR AND MOHAMMAD HIS MESSENGER
Islam will enter every house and every tent." These are the words of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Are you in doubt??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
http://debate.org.uk/topics/trtracts/t05.htm
Read this article and find the truth
Excellent articles and really good tips are out here how to become nurse.I just completely out mine graduation and really keen to make mine career under nursing yours tips really helps the lots. build muscle
In 2025 Europ gonna be a MUSLIM Contenent,an thats for sure,you can say any thing you want,you can write any thing you want,islam is the Fastest growing Religion on Earth, if you don´t like it kill your self like some did in Germany.
ALLAHU AKBAR AND MOHAMMAD HIS MESSENGER.
I believe with all my heart that you are wrong, you can't expect to exploit the downtrodden souls looking for a cause. They are living in hell on earth, confused their heart in chains unable to guide them. In the end Jesus will save these people who are being pimped in this terrible way. He will save you too my friend. If you want him to. I have faith in the U.S. Military in the meantime. Even Obama, the bum, knows how to use it!! See you in Heaven!
ALLAHU AKBAR
Alhamdulillah....
In europe, mosques are always full every friday...contrast with churches which are always empty (even in christmas).
Subhanallah...
yawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwn,,,
All religions are ancient monuments to superstitions, ignorance,ferocity; and modern religions are only ancient follies rejuvenated.
Dear Commenter from lalaland. I'm afraid it is this type of thinking that has caused many of those born during the baby boom to feel the certain loss I mentioned above. People who's hearts are in chains and unable to lead them. I think with my my heart, believe what it tells me regardless of common urban belief. I'll stick with the 2,000 yr old traditions, as they seemed to have worked thus far. Anything else seems way too common. Too Common. So, even if you did not, you must have friends or family who grew up in traditional religion. I hope you get with a Christian group of any kind. If this becomes a religious war, we need to gather our troops now. Do it LaLa Pal. You can still be cool and bad ass if you like!! I am!
Religion is exactly what you say. Biblical Christianity, of which you obviously have very little first hand knowledge, is not remotely a religion. It is like night and day compared with Islam, Buddha, New Age, you name it. Biblical Christianity led by the Holy Spirit of God, not Catholicism, which places its authority, that is, Church tradition over God's Scripture, cannot compare with knowing Jesus first hand.
Unfortunately, you have been exposed to a cheap imitation of what you were told was Christianity. I will be happy to assist you to know the God of Israel. Would you allow me that privilege?
Come my dear fellow beings, come to the righteous path before it's too late. Find the strength and courage to give Islam a chance and see what this wonderful blessing can do for you. It's my pleasure to invite you to the Islam and i sincerely hope you make the right choice;
shareislam(dot)com
thetruecall(dot)com
kalamullah(dot)com
For inspiration listen to Khalid Yasin, Yusuf Estes, Zakir Nair, Ahmed Deedat,Abdur Rahim Green and on YouTube.