Brazil's Muslim Peoples - background
This is Brazil
Brazil is a vast country with a warm tropical climate and an ethnically varied and hospitable people. Often regarded as the largest Catholic country in the world, Brazil is also the birthplace of many cults from a variety of religious movements. The earliest significant Muslim presence in Brazil was apparently established several centuries ago with the arrival of thousands of black West African Muslim slaves.
The first great Arab immigration took place towards the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries. However, this immigration was composed mainly of Orthodox Christian Arabs from Lebanon and Syria.
The second Arabic wave of immigration arrived about 40 years ago, bringing a large concentration of Muslims. The majority were involved in a variety of small- to large scale commercial activities.
Todays Brazil
Today, Brazil has a population of about 180 million, including several million people from an Arabic background. While most of them are at least nominally Christian, there are several hundred thousand Muslims (including a significant number of illegal aliens). Some estimates suggest that there are possibly over one million Muslims in Brazil, but accurate statistics are unavailable.
The Growth of Islam in Brazil
The first mosque in Brazil was built during the middle of the last century. This one gave rise to many others scattered all over the country. The region of Paran near Paraguay has the largest concentration of Muslims, followed by the city of São Paulo. Indeed, Brazil has become a hub for Islam in Latin America. During the past 30 years, Islam has succeeded in making a place for itself in Brazilian society by building not only mosques, but also libraries, arts centres, and schools and also by funding newspapers.
In addition, conversions to Islam are multiplying, especially among women who marry a Muslim and so take on the religion of their husband when they say their vows. Now, evangelical Christian Brazilians are mobilizing to face the growing Islamic presence, though not in sufficient numbers.
Some missionaries are working full-time to proclaim the Gospel to Muslims. The pressure on missionaries is enormous, particularly in large cities where Muslims have a significant presence. Despite these difficulties, the work is starting to bear fruit. A number of former Muslims have become enthusiastic missionaries. Some are working in Brazil, but some have returned to their homelands as witnesses, despite the threat of persecution and various restrictions.
Prayer for the Muslims of Brazil
* Pray that Brazilian Christians will have a greater desire to know more about Islam and the means of effectively evangelizing Muslims. Christian friendship evangelization seems to be the method which seems to bear the most fruit. Love and appreciation can dissolve the hardest heart.
* Pray for the vital ministry of the full-time missionaries working among Muslims in Brazil.
* Pray that Muslim-background believers will be able to deal with the opposition coming from their families, close relatives and friends while they continue to proclaim the Gospel.
Background on Brazil (World Factbook)
Following three centuries under the rule of Portugal, Brazil became an independent nation in 1822 and a republic in 1889. By far the largest and most populous country in South America, Brazil overcame more than half a century of military intervention in the governance of the country when in 1985 the military regime peacefully ceded power to civilian rulers. Brazil continues to pursue industrial and agricultural growth and development of its interior. Exploiting vast natural resources and a large labor pool, it is today South America's leading economic power and a regional leader. Highly unequal income distribution remains a pressing problem.
Economy of Brazil
Characterized by large and well-developed agricultural, mining, manufacturing, and service sectors, Brazil's economy outweighs that of all other South American countries and is expanding its presence in world markets. The currency depreciated sharply in 2001 and 2002, which contributed to a dramatic current account adjustment; from 2003 to 2006. Brazil's currency and its stock market - Bovespa - have significantly lost value, -41% for Bovespa for the year ending 30 December 2008. However, rapid advances in 2009 including joining the BRIC group see potential for Brazil.
Statistics on Brazil
Population: 198,739,269 (July 2009) World Rank #6
Life Expectancy at Birth: 71.99 years. World Rank #121
Ethnic groups: white 53.7%, mulatto (mixed white and black) 38.5%, black 6.2%, other (includes Japanese, Arab, Amerindian) 0.9%, unspecified 0.7%
Religions: Roman Catholic (nominal) 73.6%, Protestant 15.4%, Spiritualist 1.3%, Bantu/voodoo 0.3%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.2%, none 7.4%
Languages: Portuguese (official and most widely spoken language); note - less common languages include Spanish (border areas and schools), German, Italian, Japanese, English, and a large number of minor Amerindian languages
Literacy: 88.8%
School Life Expectancy: 14 years
About Islam in Brazil - Video
A video blogger discusses Islam in Brazil.
I have visited a Muslim group in Rio several years ago and I noticed some converts there. On the other hand I've met several Muslims who came to faith in Jesus and became Christians.
The flow, however, is by far much more prominent going towards becoming Muslims. That flow rate is increasing despite all the media force to try to tarnish Islam. Allah is the Guide and it is Who turns the hearts. Allah ,the Architect, the Engineer, the Artist, the Creator of the Universe and all that it contains(galaxies, clusters, planets etc..), knows His souls and creations and He guides whom he wills. And remember on the Quran Surah 1, Verse 1 Allah says :
"In the Name of Allah , the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Praise to be Allah the Lord of the Worlds..."
The term "Worlds" is not Earth but all that exists (planets, Jinns, animals, bacteria, stars, planets, physics, temperature, time, black holes, worm holes) ..think a minute, can a man create a mosquitoe?
Islam has become on the spotlight as much as it had been in darkness some 50 years ago. It is growing very fast. In the year 2050, it will become normal to convert to Islam since half the world population will be Muslim (but probably more than half) - no more drunk driving, no more disrespect towards women, no more lusty activities - hoping for a sain and safe world incha Allah. When the sun will rise from the west, every soul will become Muslim but it will be too late for those that had not become Muslim before then.
God guides whom He Wills and may He guide you. Ameen.
Los Angeles Dude - you have a good sense of humour. No more disrecpect towards women - so are you planning to ban the burkha and treat women as human beings? No more lusty activities - so are the Albanian muslims who act as sexual slave traders of Christian women from Eastern Europe going to stop raping and selling on the slaves? Will all the sleazy muslim men in bars and clubs in western countries stay at home and read the Koran instead of sleazing after non-muslim women?
Islam is a wicked and expansionsist religion and it must be resisted. There is some light, despite the enormous physical dangers, some Muslims have repented of their indoctrination into the death cult of Islam and this process will continue to grow no matter how many times you crow about illegal immigration swelling your numbers.
Another closet Al Qaeda supporter mouthing off about his "peaceful" and "tolerant" so called "religion".
You are certainly over read but read the wrong texts. Not all born muslims represent Islam and the same for any other faith. Oklahoma terrorist did not represent christian faith nor the crossadors did represent the cross. Also all atrocities which has been committed under the name of Christ, the many wars in Europ even in UK and Ireland. It is the same for judaiec collaborators with fascists in Europe only in the last century. Again our understanding of any Religion / faith is paramount, by reading the correct text and not watching the lusty men in bars, sex traffickers etc.
Please do not forgt the 8 millions muslims in North America who are positive contributors.
Please educate your mind before insulting a faith. All books are available and can now access everything online. You can even watch convertors to islam on youtube.
Amazing how hatred towards Muslims translates into non-sense propaganda. Should I say, Hitler was Christian, therefore all Christians are like Hitler. Yes for those who hope (in their dreams) to dissolve Islam and Muslims. Just like any place in the world, you have non-believers. Islam does not belong to a place, it is anyone's religion who adopts it. Not all born Muslims practice their religion but I wish they all did. Ask Muslim women and who gets respect. I do not see respect for women in the western world. where they're considered as objects of pleasure, temptations for adultery (am I not correct?) where it is the norm (Kobe Bryant, Tiger Woods..only to name famous people) - These are things that believers fear knowing that doom will be on their horizon if they do such things. You are writing to this site, simply because Islam bothers you but you know of its popularity, its growth and its beauty, that is a total deception to your concept of having someone pay for all your sins - how convenient. Follow your path and we'll follow ours, each to the end of its term where reality will follow. May Allah have pity on your soul and guide you to the truth. I will advise you to take a trip to an Islamic country and see what really Islam is, and it will never be the one your media bias has modeled for you.
ASA. Is there a private email that i can message you. I wanted to ask you a question about brazil. JZK
The world needs to be rid of these "people of faith". Blathering fools following a pedophile prophet. They are the source for the majority of the world's problems.
I am ashamed that you call yourself Brazillian. Brazillians are some of the most tolerant people i know. There are 1.5 million Muslims in Brazil, what problems to they cause? Are you sad that many Brazilians are now converting to Islam? I know quite a few...
Assalam Allaykum,
TU DO BEM? Are you Muslim? I would l ike some info and insight on muslims in brazils.
I hope you can help hope to hear from you soon
Take Care
Imran S
P.S. I am from the UK
As I have often said, most of the problems of the world are, and always have been, caused by religion.
Mankind will never truly be free until the black yoke of religion is lifted by the clear light of fact and reason.
Dear James Simth:
Christianity is not "religion." I am a Christian, and I do not cosnider myslef religious. Christianity is a relationship between the Christian and his MAKER! Religion is man's vain attempts to get to God by virute of his own effoerts. Christianity is a faith and a relationship-not religion!
..And these people of faith, how do they bother you? Live your life and leave them alone. I think they bother your conscience.
To Mr James Smith
It is sad how your ignorance of a faith and who you called 'people of faith' has led you to insult a faith and a 1/4 of entire world population. Have you ever thought how 2 sentences you have written on 4 Novemer can can only represen your lack of information. Any faith is open for discussion and only need to look at youtube and see how people are converting.
A tef H
As islam grows inLatin America, so too does the challenge to evanglize. Pray for Muslimsin latin America
There will come a time when all humans will come to their senses and become Muslims. It will be too late though for those that were not. It will be after a time when some major Signs of Allah will have manifested.
There are two kinds of people, those that are naturally faithful and those that are faithful only when faced with the stick. Allah the All-Knowing knows his creations and knows who is which.
My ignorance? As I have often said, most of the problems of the world are, and always have been, caused by religion.
Mankind will never truly be free until the black yoke of religion is lifted by the clear light of fact and reason.
Let me correct you. World problems are caused by evil people that want to get away with murder but religions freely speak up and denounce the crimes. Religions are in the way and since you know that media cannot exist without controversy, it is natural that media wishes for evil, to make money. Money is the root of all evil - you got it. Think before you speak.
I can not agree more with Dude. The future is for Isalm. There will be a disbelievers but Isalm will dominate because it is coperhensive and balanced relegion.
Dear ate and Due:
I am a Christian. Did you hear of the story in Algeria? Many Kabyle are coming from islam to Christianity (see http://30-days.net/muslims/muslims-in/north-africa/the-amazing-story-of-christianity-in-algeria/. Evidence suggests Kabyle Christians now number in tens of thosuands or even hundreds of thousands...and rapdily growing! One MUSLIM young Kabyle woman came to Christianity this past summer. Tormented by an evil spirit, she tried the Muslim prayers (didn't work). She came to a christian meeting, and came to Christ. MANY MORE SUCH STORIES! See also http://www.answering-islam.org/new-artciles/ for more. See ya both!
Dear ate and Los Angeles Dude:
i think you should should both view this viedo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hO8BH9D7US8&feature=related.
Dated from Jan. 2008, it shows how many North African Muslims are converting to Christianity! Most of these are Berbers. See also http://30-days.net/muslims/muslims-in/africa-north/the-amazing-story-of-christianity-in-algeria/ elsewhere on this site if you want more info!
Wanta hear from you!
Dear Los Angeles Dude and ate:
You mentioned that many people convert to Islam. Perhpas you weren't ware that many Muslims in North Africa are converting into Christianity.
View this viedo (dated from Winteer 2007-2008): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hO8BH9D7US8&feature=related.
You should also visit:
http://30-days.net/muslims/muslims-in/africa-north/the-amazing-story-of-christianity-in-algeria/
or
http://www.answering-islam.org/New/new.html, which has two reports on it!
Dude
You are quite obviously too ignorant to correct me.
James Smith, Joao Pessoa:
i am a Christian. I am not ignorant. Christianity is not religion but a relationship with Jesus Himself. I believe in Jesus and God. I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ [Romans 1;15].
Islam is the only way to salvation it is not only a religion but a complete way of life, the word islam means PEACE and submitting oneself to the creater ALLAH most high the only God , we muslim believe in jesus as the messenger of God and the messiah but we do not believe in the blasphemy that he is the son of God. we revere him as a prophet. when will christians understand that jesus never claimed to be divine and that god does not have to sacrifice someone for the sins of the world because he is the most just he forgives sins upon repentence. says Allah ..'NO SOUL BEARS THE BURDEN OF ANOTHER' Allah is the most gracious the most merciful to mankind. so stop blaspheming against God with the stupid notion of trinity!! which doesnt make sense to sane and intelligent people. worship God nas the one true god who begets not nor is begotten.
Dear Syeda islam:
look at my report I wrote erailer! You'll find it very enlighting indeed!
your friend,
Grace E. Lohrmann
God bles you!
whatever you say, we dont need anyone to tell us about Jesus we dnt need convincing because no muslim is a muslim until he believes in Jesus as the messiah and as the messenger of God NOT THE SON OF GOD. We also believe in his second coming. i've read the bible i cant remember which version because there are so many versions!! never does jesus call his disciples christians!! neveer does he say openly to worship him, but he calls everyone to worship the one true God and to uphold the laws of the prophets. Jesus never ate pork so tell me why are christians today consuming pork? we as muslims believ in all the prophets of God me make no distictionss between them i think we muslims are more closer to jesus than the so called christians off today!
God bless you to and help you to come to the right path
whatever you say my friend , but i think we muslims are more closer to Jesus than so called christians today!! no muslim is a muslim until he believes in Jesus as the messenger of God. nowhere in the bible does jesus call his disciples christians! u christians of today follow SAINT PAUL NOT JESUS!!. whats with sunday worship? jesus always upheld the sabbath and never consumed pork where as look at christians today they cant do without pork!!
I am a Christian. I really don't like pork very much. Its acutally sensible to not eat pork. But heres some testimony about Muslims becoming Christians:
its a well-known fact that mnay Muslim Kayble [or berbers] in Algeria are becoming Christians: here's one testimony:
There are also supernatural demonstrations, direct interventions in the life of persons who ignore everything of Jesus. At the conclusion of a worship which I made in the community of a Kabyle town, a young lady came to see me. She was a Moslem and it was the first time which she attended a Christian meeting. She suffered from oppression, a voice came to torment her day and night for weeks, saying that the child whom she carried in her breast (it waited for a happy event) was going to die and that her two other children were also going to die. She made her traditional prayers without result. In the week, she had a vision. A man in white was held in front of her and he says to him: ‘ I am a Jesus, and me, a Jesus, I say to you: be not afraid, but am I! ‘ She thus came spontaneously, she thus attended this worship, she was conquered in succession by the Lord; I learnt a while later that she and all her family were converted.
Christain groups believe the number of Kabyles turning to Christianity will mightily increase over hwat it currently is...about 60,000 to 150,000 out of about 5 million Kabyle in Kabylia, Algeria region. Amazing!
What Paul wrote about Jesus (pbuh) was 20 years after jesus'(pbuh) death- at the begining of all the saints' book it states, "According to.." meaning not in the 1st person. this suggests that neither paul, luke etc. ever met, saw or spoke to jesus (pbuh) then how accurate can their books be?
secondly,..
King David had several wives while king soloman had 100 wives and 100 concubines and nowadays the catholic church tells us that you are only allowed 1 wife. the old testament states in terms of wives "have as many as you want" it was only a few decades ago that the catholic church changed it.
In england they are accepting gays and lesbians as christians, did jesus (pbuh) say homosexuality is right? obviously not meaning the churches are changing the original words of jesus(pbuh) just like they have always done.
p.s. if anyones going to reply to my post plz make sure you reply to each point i make.
peace.
also james smith... can you tell me how old the virgin mary(pbuh) was when she gave birth to jesus(pbuh)?? if your brain is too small to understand that things were different in other times i guess your going to ignore the fact that god can be called a paedophile!!! thankfully most of us are old enough and wise enough to understand this.
i agree with you ash, christians today follow the misguided teachings of saint paul not Jesus, christians have problems with polygamy but tend to promote premarital sex and adultry not to mention gays and lesbians!. well i think most christians think they can do anthing and will be admitted to heaven because jesus died for their sins, so even if you are an adultrer you will go to heaven on faith alone what an absurd notion!!
heavy argumenet,
When Jesus will come back the problem will be solve between muslim and christian...
well said SK. when jesus (pbuh) comes back all evil shall abolish and good will prevail but for now lets all quietly get on with our lives without insulting one another. ameen.
p.s when do you think jesus (pbuh) will return? i heard some say something big will happen between 2012-2018( christian scholars, muslim scholars, mayan calender even scientists). but please beware that the dajjal(evil one) will come first and will have thousands of followers!
All Praise is due to Allaah for guiding people to the only Religion that is acceptable to Him - Islaam
The Muslims have more right to Moosaa (Moses) than the Jews, and more right to `Eesaa (Jesus) than the Christians. What is upon the Jews and the Christians is to be sincere, accept the truth before it is too late, and cease in spreading lies in order to turn people away from it.
[005:116] And (remember) when Allâh will say (on the Day of Resurrection): "O 'خsâ (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary)! Did you say to men: 'Worship me and my mother as two gods besides Allâh?' " He will say: "Glorified are You! It was not for me to say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, You would surely have known it. You know what is in my inner self though I do not know what is in Yours; truly, You, only You, are the All-Knower of all that is hidden (and unseen).
[005:117] "Never did I say to them aught except what You (Allâh) did command me to say: 'Worship Allâh, my Lord and your Lord.' And I was a witness over them while I dwelt amongst them, but when You took me up, You were the Watcher over them; and You are a Witness to all things. (This is a great admonition and warning to the Christians of the whole world).
I am a Christian. I believe in Jesus [Yeshua of Nazerth].
We who are Christians don't believe in three gods, as the quoted text says. We believe in one God [see Deutronomy 6:4-6]. But we believe in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. I accept alll three. So do all who are Christians.
PS: check out my article about how the Kabyle {Berbers of Algeria} are turning from islam to the Messiah Jesus!
KKKKK
With due respect to yourself, I would sincerely advise you to wake up from your delusion. Leave philosophical rhetoric and false dogma, and accept the truth. And again, with due respect, kindly don't reply with more of the likes - I'm simply not interested in entertaining anyone drunk on a mash of words they have no authority for
what delusion do you mean? I am convineced of the truth of the gospel (called injil by you.) I believe n eisa (Jesus) more than you do.
The fundamental CONCEPT OF GOD IN CHRISTIANITY is distorted and contradicts itself .The bible say there is one god (deutronomy 6:4-6) the christians also say they believe in one god the father but they say they also believe in god the son , god the holy spirit .So actualy there are three gods they believe in but they say there is one god .So according to them 1+1+1 = 1 not 3 .Some christians to protect this concept say the holy father, the holy son, the holy spirit are not different but one and same .So acoording to them the one god has three parts which are equal in all aspects .Then why do u cal one part god ,one son and the other spirit ,why not call all of them as god and moreover they are not equal as one part the son came to earth in human form to forgive sins of all human kind the other two did not and one part the father god created universe the other two did not and the spirit did nothing then how are they equal .Moreover one part god the son is the only begotten son of god the father .THE CONCEPT OF SON is even more distorted ,the reason christians commonly give for jesus being son of god is that he is made up of same material which god is made up of and he answers all ur prayers .If one is made up of same material as other is made up of does one become son of other so according to christians all human beings are sons of each other and the animals ,all planets are sons of each other ,all stars are sons of each other and each thing which is same as other is its son .If one thing is same as other it does not become son it becomes a similar another thing ,so now there are two similar things one god ,one son so 2 gods but again there is one god as per christians and for kind information god and jesus the son are not same as god created universe jesus did not and jesus came in human form to take all sins god did not .AND THOSE WHO SAY JESUS IS SON CAUSE HE LISTENS AND ANSWERS PRAYERS LET THEM KNOW PEOPLE WHO DO NOT CAL HIM FIND THEIR PRAYERS ANSWERED AND PEOPLE WHO CAL NOBODY AND ARE ATHEIST ALSO GET THEIR WORK DONE.If we accept jesus as son of god just for argument sake ,then why god has only one son why not many ,why he doesnt have a daughter ,why not uncles ,aunts,brothers, sisters,or parents and why is not uzair son of god as the jews claim him to be ? .Now look at concept of god in islam , quran (chapter 112)"say ;he is god the one and only,the eternal,absolute,he begetteth not,nor is he begotten and there is none like unto him".And for conversions there are hundreds of christian missionories all around the world funded by thousands of dollars their mode of action is that they just tell all false things about other religions AND EVEN MORE EMOTIONALLY FOOL U BY TELLING JESUS LOVES U AND HAVE TAKEN UR SINS AND WIL SAVE U IF U BELIEVE IN HIM .THEY(MISSIONARIES) HELP U FINANCIALY SO CHRISTIANITY CONVERTS ARE MAINLY UNEDUCATED POOR PEOPLE OF THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES WHO FALL FOR THEIR LIES .
christians send missionaries all over the world so it is likely that some people will convert to christianity however there arent any muslim missionaries being sent round the globe to convert to islam why not? because because god guides who he wills and does not need any person to do it for him.
Salam for all muslim
I am wery hoppy that Islam is growth up in Brazil. I wish they live hoppy all the word
and make islam paicepull.