Muslims In Bolivia: A Small But Vibrant Community

Bolivia is a predominantly Christian country, with Islam representing a very small minority. There are an estimated 1,500 to 2,000 Muslims in Bolivia, making up around 0.01% to 0.1% of the total population. The Muslim community in Bolivia is centred around a handful of Islamic centres and mosques, with the first official Sunni mosque, the Yebel An Nur Mosque, being founded in 2004 in La Paz. The small Muslim population in Bolivia has become a subject of security interest, particularly in relation to potential extremist threats, but the actual presence of such threats is disputed.

There are an estimated 1,500 to 2,000 Muslims in Bolivia

Islam is a minority religion in Bolivia, with estimates of the Muslim population ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 people. This small community is spread across the country, with Islamic organizations and mosques in several cities. The country's secular constitution guarantees freedom of religion, allowing Muslims to proselytize and build places of worship.

The majority of the Bolivian population is Christian, with Roman Catholicism as the largest denomination. However, in recent years, there has been a shift towards other denominations and a growing presence of non-Christian religions. Despite the small number of Muslims in Bolivia, they have established mosques and Islamic centers, particularly in the city of Santa Cruz.

The Bolivian Islamic Center, led by Mahmud Amer Abusharar, a Palestinian refugee, has been at the forefront of the Islamic presence in the country. Abusharar arrived in Bolivia in 1974 and established the Center in 1986. The Center played a crucial role in constructing the first mosque in Bolivia, which was completed in 1994 in Santa Cruz.

In 2004, the first official Sunni mosque, the Yebel An Nur Mosque, was founded in La Paz. This mosque remains self-funded and closely tied to the Sunni Bolivian Islamic Center of Santa Cruz. Additionally, the As-Salam Mosque in La Paz serves both Sunni and Shia followers and has a diverse congregation of Arab Muslims and Bolivian converts.

According to imam Ayman Altaramsi of the As-Salam Mosque, the Muslim community in Bolivia faces unique challenges due to the predominance of Catholicism and indigenous beliefs. Bolivian society is not structured around Islam, and religious duties may not be as readily accommodated as in the Middle East. However, Altaramsi notes that the community is steadily growing, with a significant number of converts, particularly among young people.

That's around 0.01% to 0.02% of the population

Bolivia is a predominantly Christian country, with a large majority of the population adhering to Roman Catholicism. Islam is a very small minority religion in the country, with estimates placing the number of Muslims in Bolivia at around 2,000, or 0.01% to 0.02% of the total population. This small Muslim population has, however, attracted a lot of attention and even security concerns.

The Muslim population in Bolivia is served by a handful of Islamic centres and mosques. The first official Sunni mosque in the country, the Yebel An Nur Mosque, was founded in 2004 in La Paz. The mosque remains self-funded and closely tied to the Sunni Bolivian Islamic Center of Santa Cruz. There is also the As-Salam Mosque in La Paz, which receives both Sunni and Shia followers. This mosque is led by imam Ayman Altaramsi, a doctor who was born a Muslim in Palestine and came to Bolivia to study medicine. He now volunteers as a mentor for the Islamic Association of Bolivia, leading prayer ceremonies and giving Arabic and Quran lessons.

The Bolivian Islamic Center in Santa Cruz de la Sierra was founded in 1986 by Mahmud Amer Abusharar, a Palestinian refugee who arrived in the country in 1974 and began spreading Islam. Abusharar has been the subject of US intelligence and media reports detailing him among others in a study of extremist threats. However, Abusharar has denied these allegations, stating that the Islamic Center is a Bolivian institution that does not discriminate against anyone and calls on people to be good, universal, and honest. He believes that the reports are an attempt to harm the North American people and create motives to threaten the Bolivian government, with which the US has had strained relations.

Despite the small number of Muslims in Bolivia, the community is active and growing. According to imam Ayman Altaramsi, about 95% of the people who visit the As-Salam Mosque are Bolivian converts of all ages, generally converted between the ages of 20 and 40. The mosque functions as an informal centre where they teach the values and principles of Islam, and every month, they welcome at least three converts to their community. The Islamic Association of Bolivia also organizes sessions in which women come together to discuss Islam, and many Bolivian converts and Muslims born in the country participate in these gatherings.

The first official mosque in Bolivia was founded in 2004

Islam is a minority religion in Bolivia, with a Muslim population of around two thousand, or 0.017% of the total population of 11,220,000 inhabitants. The country is predominantly Christian, with Roman Catholicism being the largest denomination. However, the secular nature of Bolivia's constitution guarantees freedom of religion, allowing Muslims to proselytize and build places of worship.

The first official mosque in Bolivia, the Yebel An Nur Mosque, was founded in 2004 in La Paz. It is the first recognised Sunni mosque in the country and was founded in collaboration with Bolivian Muslims and local residents. The Yebel An Nur Mosque remains self-funded, with close ties to the Sunni Bolivian Islamic Center of Santa Cruz.

The establishment of the Yebel An Nur Mosque marked a significant step for the Muslim community in Bolivia, providing a dedicated space for worship and community gatherings. It also symbolised the growing presence of Islam in a predominantly Christian nation. The mosque's curved towers stand out in the city, and the daily call to prayer has become a familiar sound in La Paz.

Before the Yebel An Nur Mosque, Muslim communities in Bolivia gathered in smaller prayer spaces or Islamic centres. One notable centre is the Centro Islamico Boliviano, located in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. It was founded in 1986 by Mahmud Amer Abusharar, a Palestinian refugee who arrived in Bolivia in 1974 and began spreading Islam. Abusharar also led the Bolivian Islamic Center in Santa Cruz, which has been the subject of media attention and speculation regarding its potential ties to Islamic extremism. However, no evidence of specific security threats has been found.

The Yebel An Nur Mosque continues to serve the local Muslim community in La Paz, fostering a sense of religious and cultural identity within the predominantly Christian nation of Bolivia.

The majority of Muslims in Bolivia are converts

Islam is a minority religion in Bolivia, with an estimated Muslim population of around two thousand people, or 0.017% of the country's total population of 11,220,000 inhabitants. The majority of Muslims in Bolivia are converts, with one imam claiming that 95% of attendees at the As-Salam mosque in La Paz are Bolivian converts. The As-Salam mosque, led by imam Ayman Altaramsi, functions as an informal centre for learning about Islam and welcomes at least three new converts each month.

The first official Sunni mosque in Bolivia, the Yebel An Nur Mosque, was founded in 2004 in La Paz. The As-Salam Mosque, on the other hand, receives both Sunni and Shia followers. The Yebel An Nur Mosque is self-funded and maintains close ties with the Sunni Bolivian Islamic Center of Santa Cruz.

The small Muslim community in Bolivia faces challenges due to the dominant presence of Catholicism and indigenous religious practices in the country. Imam Ayman Altaramsi, a mentor for the Islamic Association of Bolivia, notes that "Bolivian society is not structured around Islam". As a result, Muslim Bolivians must balance their religious duties with work responsibilities, as their employers may not accommodate Islamic practices in the same way that employers in the Middle East do.

One challenge for Muslims in Bolivia is finding halal food, which is food that is approved by Islamic law. To address this issue, the As-Salam mosque began producing its own halal meat five years ago. During the month of Ramadan, about a hundred people gather at the mosque to share meals and their spiritual experiences.

The Islamic Association of Bolivia also organises sessions specifically for women to discuss Islam. These sessions are attended by both Bolivian converts and those who were born into Muslim families in Bolivia. One such convert is Morah Bacinello, who grew up Catholic but found the religion unsatisfying after the death of her son. She converted to Islam eight years ago and, two years later, her children followed suit.

Islam was brought to Bolivia by immigrants from Middle Eastern countries

Islam is a minority religion in Bolivia, with an estimated Muslim population of around two thousand, or 0.017% of the total population of 11,220,000 inhabitants. The country is predominantly Christian, with a secular constitution that guarantees freedom of religion. This means Muslims are free to practise their faith, proselytize, and build places of worship.

The Centro Islamico Boliviano (Bolivian Islamic Center) is an Islamic organization with a presence in several Bolivian cities, including Santa Cruz, Cochabamba, and Sucre. In 1992, the organization established a commission to construct the first mosque in Bolivia, which was completed in 1994 in Santa Cruz.

In 2004, the first official Sunni mosque, the Yebel An Nur Mosque, was founded in La Paz. This mosque remains self-funded and maintains close ties with the Sunni Bolivian Islamic Center of Santa Cruz. At the same time, the As-Salam Mosque in La Paz serves followers of both Sunni and Shia Islam.

According to imam Ayman Altaramsi of the As-Salam mosque, there are about 2,000 people who practise Islam in La Paz, and the mosque has existed for 11 years. He estimates that 95% of the visitors are Bolivian converts, generally between the ages of 20 and 40. The mosque functions as an informal center where people gather to read the Quran, learn about Islamic traditions, and share their spiritual experiences during Ramadan.

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