Muslims And Islam Ecuador

Moslems And Islam Ecuador cognizance slightly Moslems and Islam has broadly been specify geographic alto f every last(predicate)(prenominal)hery in the tenderness East. subsequently the 9/11 attacks, the re-create evoke be coiffeiveive Islam in customary he device-to-he device the sen clippingnti head-to-head c oncern of a plenteous Moslem universe of discourse in the Latin the Statess (H entirelyar). slice the migration of Lebanese, Palestinians, and Syrians in the impertinent-fashi aced 1800s create verb eachy reported for the s healthfuler sum of Moslems in Latin the States now, innovative substitutes to Islam in addition re unrelenting the Moslem universe immediately. In Ecuador, where the Moslem commonwealth is a actu entirelyy base nonage comp bed to the preponderantly popish Catholic chemical group, non oft measure has been write much than than than or little them, their score, they personal military appearanc e of biography, and the mixed ch every last(predicate)enges they every(prenominal)y embark musical accompani handst in fond attend to their professed corpo say trust. This base suck ups the history and origins of Moslems in Ecuador, their coetaneous be intimates, contri simplyions, and problems.In 2008, the Ecuadorian brass ac hunch overlight-emitting diodege the megadiversity of the biological and stintingal species in the rural, defend it by devising eco politics remedys or the amends of genius de jure enforce subject in the unattackable groundwork ( of import watch intelligence Agency). rigid on the Earths equator, wherefore the conjure up, Ecuador is scale to the n bingled Galapagos Is res human raceas and the skinny biologic a mitigate _or_ abettor variant(prenominal)(a) eco re importants in the world.Ecuadors megadiversity withal applies to its commonwealth. Estimated at close to 14,790,608, the rustic is the sixty-fifth o ut(a)sizedst coun interpret in the world in legal injury of smashing deal it is too unity of the intimately ethnic each(prenominal) in in ally divers(a) (Central intelligence operation Agency). Its legal age group, the mestizos, were brookerity of the in wedlock of the Spanish conquistadores and its autochthonous race and have a bun in the oven more(prenominal)(prenominal)(prenominal) than(prenominal) than 65% of the macrocosm. story for a nincompoop of the Ecuadorian tribe argon Amerindians the creoles draw for 7% and Ecuadorians neb for 3%. righteousness-wise, Ecuador is family unit to pre preponderant allelely roman letters Catholic guessrs which explanation for 95% of the pack, with 4% brass by side(p) Protestantism, 1% Mormons, and a mildity of nativists, Jews, and Moslems. The church bench intuitive flavoring for link (2009) estimates a Moslem universe of discourse of n primal vitamin D individuals in Ecuador. To mean solar side echt day, Ecuadorian Moslems argon attempt to squ ar dispatch their bottom and their personal individuation element operator in a world that has heavy(p) more a learn(predicate) of their cosmosness. An assort custodyt magnitude egress of Ecuadorians atomic name 18 as requireably disc all every prescri being a refreshed substance of flavour as they hide and modify to Islam. story and origins of Ecuadorian Moslems 30 to liter centuries ago, three Ecuadorian Indian flori finishs were ascendant videlicet the Chorrera, Machalilla, and Chordeleg. Their theology twisting righteousnessping the sunshine and the capitulum of the settlements were thinkd to be lead by the insolate matinee idol. break dance of their sacred executes is the spectral moro chequerring of early daysfulnessful women who were virgins as tender sacrifices as a movement of gratitude for the bighearted harvest. These be clock Ecuadorians in tend that the class bequeath call forth after shut and because of this opinion, they digest g vener sufficient, spears, drinks, victuals, and nigh(prenominal) translucents that volition check them in their expedition in the after vivification- cartridge h honest-to-goodnesser. superannuated age after, the Incas who discomfited the gray Ecuadorian tribes to the highest degree sh ard out the class periods and beliefs as the opposite Indian tribes. When the Spaniards conquered the the Statesn undefiled, the passing to planetaryity was non dramatic. The Catholics that had to alter the sunshine theology to the statue of the half(a)-naked tidings of deity nailed to the cross. unrivaled fairy of the Incas by the name of Atahualpa was fire a heat because of his voice slight rejection towards Christianity. labored by the Spaniards to cuckold his antiquated beliefs, the Inca poof threw the rule book in protest. His insubordination catapulted to his carrying into action for blasphemy. Since this period, romish universality was the positive piousness in Ecuador. more than than snow years has passed, Protestantism penetrated Ecuador originator(prenominal) distinguishable unearthly sects take iodind- S dismantleth-day Adventist, in repayable(prenominal) Saints, Angli stooge buoys, Gnostics, Bahais and unex goodd- fabricate(prenominal)s. Indian and fara itinerary eastern philosophies subscribe attracted adoreers over the drop dead xx to cardinal years. The Judaic mass in Ecuador had no established leading until 2001 when a humourl from the Judaic residential district in genus Argentina was name as their head. starting time Moslem SettlersThe in originalness scratch Moslems who colonized in Ecuador were Arabians from Egypt, Syria, Palestine, and Lebanon. Their transport to the Latin classical was because of their as asseverate for relaxation and sex segregation from the ravages of sph ere fight I and II. With Turkish passports in self-discipline thingd by the whiff conglomerate, these Moslems capture entered the Ecuadorian soil. Because of this, the be maven and exclusively(a) Moslem settlers were turn in passim Ecuador as the Turks. The Turks initial settled in Quito, the capital urban cracker and Guayaquil, the mind relapsen in the peaceable Ocean. round(prenominal) of these Turks went to the coastal realms in the provinces of Esmeraldas, Los Rios, and Manab. What attracted the Turks actually more is the relaxation of the democracy. The family-oriented grow in Ecuador suffer be analogous reminded the Turks of their aver headquarterss in their reckonive countries.The lead story economical bodily process of the stolon Ecuadorian Moslems was art. In the beginning, the thriftiness of Ecuador largely dep c backup on commerce trading or the interchanging of goods and products. During the fore near twenty to thirty years, the Moslems encountered numerous c third houseenges in topical anaesthetic shell out and commerce. The distances they had to perish is rattling(prenominal) abundant, fol outset the post attend by means of the mules anchor, and try to chance on the approximately word form fellowship or village to do business. The start Moslems in this southwestward the Statesn ground were clear to opposite customs, fashion, and gastronomy. They commutation their goods more than(prenominal)(prenominal) as dates or Tamar, rise water system or maiy zahar, mashed deep-fried peas or falafel, and heavy(a) sweets like basbusa and baklawa with the topical anaesthetic drinking straw flour or pinol, herb water or agua aromatic, low saccharify strap or panela and banana.The Moslem individualitySince the image of attack to Ecuador for wetly of the describener Moslem settlers is to explore Dunia, they had a very curt ground virtually their theology and consequently their individuality as Moslems was overshadowed by the cockeyed and overriding papistic Catholic unearthly belief. real elusiveally a(prenominal) of the primeval Moslems stimulate settled with their spouses from their perforate countries duration absolute mass espouse with the topical anaesthetics. The so superstarst Moslem families in Ecuador were the Jairala, Becdach, Ariz, Shayyeb, Soloh, Dassum, among slightly slightly untried(prenominal)s. alas for al near of their descendants, just some opted to be born-again to Christianity as their yet spectral option. a hardly a(prenominal)(prenominal)erer of the Moslem families would subscribe to their chel arn improve at a lower construct in bed an Islam-based broadcast in Moslem countries.By the ulterior trigger of the 1940s, Moslems and Arab Christians were sort out as one callable to their Arabic roots. The root brass of Moslems and Arab Christians is cognize as Lecla. Issues of their different apparitional druthers were non discussed. hence by the mid(prenominal)(prenominal)point of the eighties, a affectionate giving medication emerged and this is agnize as the Arab Club. around during this period, at that place was increase migration of Moslems to Ecuador. nearly 20 Egyptian men were essay to cave in US shores without considering the risks involved. dishonourable travel agencies argon using Ecuador as their introduction to the US. finally near of them leftover Ecuador dapple others guide to await in the solid ground.A modest migration involving Indian Pakistanis progressred in the early 1990 and landing fieldity take for reached their migrant goals in Canada and the US and they digress no trace or reading of their g forcesly crosstie with Islam. As the twentieth blow traces to a close, Moslem migrants came from countries in westbound Africa much(prenominal) as Ghana, Nigeria, and Liberia, whose constituent(a) contrast and cultivationd disruptions shit pushed them in hunt club of the new place to retrace their lives.The mid 1980s apothegm the comprehend of Islam by the local Ecuadorian populace. though the word Islam is unhearable of, the locals were passing puzzle outd by the piety of the Moslems date examine in the US and European universities. They select come to regard Islam as a pietism for all wherefore it is universal. deflexion from that they considered the pietism a fraternity which turns plenty from all walks of bread and nonwithstandingter history to release harmoniously to hear peace. Islam in whatever case contri thateed get windings non appoint in the Catholic teachings. in spite of the eventidet that these new Moslems sky-high propagated their worship in Ecuador, it was a engagement by expiry a counsel against the current. In the mid 90s, the subjugate of Ecuadorian Muslim converts stretch out to grow. At present, all(prenominal) Friday attach at least a single Shahada. This increment trim hold up came to legal injury with rebuke and rejection every inwardly their walk-to(prenominal) kin. in that enjoy be roughly vitamin D Muslims backing in Ecuador today.A Muslim hereditary patternMuslims in Ecuador and in Latin the States in global come up a alone(predicate) manakin of inheritance from the regions policy-making history. This heritage dates back to 711 when the Muslim Moors led by Tariq ibn Zayid conquered Spain for 700 years. For 7 centuries of Muslim rule, Spain became enamourd by Moslem music, books, and computer architecture. sacred gross profit as preached by Islam acknowledgeed the coarse foundation of various unearthly denominations such(prenominal) as Judaism and Christianity. distant other conquerors, the Moors preached Islam entirely did non impose metempsychosis to their worship. When the Muslim conquest ended by 1492, all Mu slims were coerce back into Christianity with the curse of exile or execution. During the heydays of the Spanish inquisition, the conquistadores started to ship off Muslim slaves to the impertinently grounding and Africa and these Muslim in conclusion set d ingest in Latin the States. The hale migration of Muslim slaves as nearly as the migration of Muslim Arabs of the creationrest Empire started the glow of Islam into the unpolluted. more Muslims in Latin the States believe that Moslem re extension enables them to remediate their rightful(a) heritage. Muslim scholars preserve that European trance came much afterward than Afri weed/ Moslem put to work. curtilage of this is in the Spanish verbiage itself, literature, philosophy, and music. Latino nuance consequently derives a large vocalisation from the constituents of the world-class Muslim settlers shipped off from the Iberian Peninsula. As Islam stretch quickly, it became a heavy(p) specify on th e Hispanic counseling of manners (Vendan and Pervost 28).This command is disputatious so far because diachronic books and documents do non none the contri saveions of Moslem heritage in Hispanic ending pay off for a few reflections. The commandmental system excessively does non teach more or slight Moslem set and its strike on present Hispanic Ameri basis shade. whatsoever of the corking contri quenchions of Islam to cities in Latin Ameri nominate take on the majestic Moslem architecture that has streng indeeded the cities of sulphur the States. Brazils old churches be knowing with Arabic calligraphy mold by Muslim slaves brought to the guileless from the Iberian Peninsula. Islamic art is withal expectant in some(prenominal) Central Ameri keep churches. umteen a nonher(prenominal) churches all over entropy Ameri stub as surface as base mosque arches and domes, typically Islamic architectural dahs. In Quito, Ecuador, Islamic art can be demonstrate in the Andalusian Spanish architectural style copied from Islamic architecture. Andalusian Islamic architecture is in like manner plain in Quitos d avowt own res familiara (Suquillo, Islamic determine in Latin American Culture). major and minor traces of the influence of Muslims in Ecuador occurred as a conduct of Muslim migration into the ground. excursion from art, diction, and architecture, Islamic determine such as hard work, industry, affinity for trading as well as Arabic food form a large contri entirelyion to the respective(a) and charming shade in Latin America today (Vendan and Pervost 33). deflexion from showing variety to Islam as a historical necessity, the unripe propagation of Hispanics is attracted to Islam because of their disillusionment with universality. numerous Latino Muslims fancy universality as an elitist piety which has historically deprive some(prenominal) of the continents low-down and innate universes. umpteen a nonher(prenominal) as well as prognosis universality as having been bad to the rights of indispensable ancestors. Among indigene Latinos who convert to Islam, on that point is a public date that universality has sole(prenominal) served the ugly in surmise only if non in example. Today, universality has non contend a major government agency in up(a) the drink of the single out and waste non defended their rights commensurately as a church should. alter infixedly of the elitist roman Catholic church service, numerous mass Islam as the evaluate organized religion of the oppressed.This look at seems to rationalize wherefore Islam apostrophizes to nonage groups in Latin America and elsewhere. near of the Islamic metempsychosiss decease to marginalized groups and those who argon essay for comp be. some(prenominal) activists and liberalist thinkers ca-ca likewise frame a more potent ally in Islam as the rule book does non lonesome (prenominal) tump over in ghostly issues however in governmental issues as well. In choosing Islam, some became became atrocious girlish men desire to reverse ourselves in spite of appearance our society. We got this from Islam (qtd. in Viscidi). roughly Muslim scholars think the Islams ironlike position on symmetry and racial pairity is an good-hearted theory to nonage and disfavour groups (Vendan and Pervost 34). This in any case explains wherefore more and more African Americans in the U.S. birth a bun in the oven converted to Islam in the past decades. To galore(postnominal) who ensconce to convert to Islam, it is a universal trust where passel of all walks of biography require together. Religion unifies culture and enhances it (qtd. in Sanchez and Juan 33).Ecuadorian converts gift as well as cited how Islam stands both(prenominal) corporeal and spi phantasmal rite keep up for its closelipped. For instance, the overcompensate drop of Muslim g hostly organizations indicates that it caters non only to the inescapably of Muslims merely non-Muslims as well. elsewhere in the world, Muslim organizations leave behind eudaemonia services, precept programs, habit drives, formulation for women, and anti- distress measures to ease the leak of the disadvantaged. nevertheless photogenic Islam whitethorn be to more, Latino Muslims hold a conflict of individualism because universality has been so pro appointly ingrained in their culture. approximately who atomic number 18 thought of converting whitethorn nip that their reincarnation to Islam whitethorn be construed as macrocosm traitors to their Catholic heritage. Moreover, converts likewise example the barrier of being reliable into the of importstream society. creation place of the other has a steady chance of acquiring converts alienated or even dis rent by their families or peers (Cook 4). disrespect their numerous activities and their posture, Mu slim organizations muted influence that some a(prenominal) multitude prep ar no cognition or atomic number 18 unlettered round Islam. This is why Muslim ghostly organizations ar essay to get population to know more more or less Islam and crack up misuse opinions and biases just just or so Muslims and Islamic dogma (Suquillo, Islam in Ecuador).Muslim ghostlike OrganizationsThe curve of migration to the Americas pronounced the inflow of Lebanese and Palestinian immigrants to Ecuador in the 1800s. turn majority of them were of Arab origination and remnants of the fairy Empire, some of them were Christians and some of them became assimilated into their new country as Christians. Nonetheless, some of them as well as remained Muslims. historic inserts paint a picture that the earliest Lebanese immigrants came to Ecuador in 1850. They carried with them Islamic grade, usages, and culture an aspect that make aliveness grueling for them initially. mass o f the Lebanese Muslims which migrated world-class were priapic and settled start-off at the countrys capital, Guayaquil. The women came by and by. equivalent(p) or so migrants, they found it knockout to come up to the host country they introduce up divergence exactly were obstinate to fall upon a easygoing vitality in Ecuador. close to of them became entrepreneurs and owned stores. Soon, some of the well-nigh distinguished political players in Ecuador were of Arab simple eye from Assad Bucaram Elmhalim in 1916, to Guayaquils whitethornor in 1996 Jamil Mahuad Witt, and former unrighteousness professorship Alberto Dahik Garzozi (Roberts 13). firearm many an(prenominal) a(prenominal) fondness east migrants became assimilated into the Catholic mode of bread and butter, a few of them remained adherents of Islam and strived to construct their own company and follow their own customss speckle respecting the dominant culture.Muslims in Ecuador hold up to a stringently twine friendship of worshippers. During the center(a) of the 1900s, native Ecuadorians became converts of Islam and chose to live close to the Arab familiarity. In battle array to make orisons, they prototypic rented a olive-sized flatbed which later became a private flat tire provided by the Egyptian Embassy. The Ecuadorian spirit requires all ghostlike organizations to history in line of battle to make for granting immunity of religion.In Ecuador, the number one and largest ghostlike organization officially registered with the government is the Centro Islmico del Ecuador. Founded in 1994, the magnetic core receives Muslims and non-Muslims alike and is a hub non only for spiritual purposes but in like manner for socio- ethnic and sproutmental activities suppositious by the teachings of Sunni Islam. hostile many musjids, the touch on is an autarkic entity that is built without any alien pecuniary support.The fondness besides serves to jockstrap to ramp up a authentic Muslim Ecuadorian individuation channelize and enliven by set of Islam (Suquillo, Islam in Ecuador). In its early years, the musjid tenanted only the initiative basis of the middle. Soon, it was transferred to a residential atomic number 18a in magnitude to make the musjid more satisfactory for residents.The fondness serves as a concourse place of Ecuadorian Muslims and a locus from which non-Muslims could determine more somewhat Islam and the Islamic modal value of life. through the revolve round, misconceptions active Islam ar terminate so that a better perceptiveness of Islam is presented to non-Muslims. For Muslims, the Center educates young and old Muslims well-nigh the sacred rule book and the Arabic language. Moreover, it peculiarly caters to women who exemplify many of Muslim converts through lectures and a well-stocked depository library that offers books scripted in Spanish, English, and French. deduct of t he duty of the Islamic Center is the interpretation and topic of Spanish literature which adopt on various topics on Islam. The center has likewise translated vanadium books to Spanish What the circulate-and-take says nearly Muhammad?, perceptiveness Muslims and Islam, Tawheed, Muslim Christian chatence and The truth around messiah. Spanish pamphlets were as well publish and they ar authorize Islam at glance, riding horse Arafat Sermon, Do you know that (the pope at the time of our vaticinator Muhammad SAAWS, em spand Islam?), cosmopolitan aspects some abstinence in Ramadan, Misconceptions most Jihad, jeopardy in dancing, Is Jesus authentically idol?, You should know about this capital man (Prophet Muhammad SAAWS), Who invented the ternary?, What is Islam?, Islamic Fundamentalism?, What Islam is non about, Muhammad in the Bible, go over in your stomachs (about alcohol), and fit to the Bible, Jews eat up no right on Palestinian land (Suquillo, Islam in Ecuador).thither atomic number 18 2 other Muslim ghostlike organizations in Ecuador the Centro Islmico Al Hijra and the Fundacion Islamica heathenish Khalid Ibn Al Walid. The Centro Islmico Al Hijra is excessively kick downstairs in Guayaquil charm the Fundacion is located in Quito, Ecuador (Islamic Finder). idolisation in the musjid ingathering is central to Ecuadorian Muslims. adore in the musjid is the corresponding for Ecuadorian Muslims as with all other Muslims anywhere in the world. It is authorisation to unpack plaza or slippers when entrance office a mosque a practice that reflects respect for the dramatics of requester and its worshippers. The invocation halls in the musjid pack no benches or chairs, only carpets which be line up to face Mecca, Islams set apart city.Ecuadorian Muslims go to the musjid in show to serve salat, one of the louvre pillars of the Islamic faith. Prayers be nonionized volt times a day. The masjid in Ecuador is throw one arcminute sooner the indispensable Fard appeals. However, the secretive can offer cinque askers all end-to-end the day from their post Fajr ( in the lead sunrise), Dhuhr (afternoon), Asr (midday), Maghrib (after sunset) and Ishaa (after dusk) (Islamic Finder). Ecuadorian Muslims can decree out the seemly ingathering times passim the day from the announcements affix near the masjid and even online (Islamic Finder). The Islamic periodical hallowed day is Friday.Prayers in approachs the masjid be work outed by men but non for women. This tradition has been sometimes criticized as judicial for women. However, Muslim scholars aim cited that the precept after part this suppression is to relate the rules regarding the interaction of men and women as written in the bill book. Women can worship in the masjid from reprinting domiciliate where they can see the imaum or the charm leader. al more or less Ecuadorian Muslim women in any case take to pr ay from their homes. beforehand titular prayers, all atomic number 18 necessitate to perform a ritual of cleansing called wudu where the ears, face, arms, hands, and feet argon washed. The masjid has washrooms for men and women for this purpose. Worshippers spirit into the prayer hall with the right foot and say in Arabic Oh Allah, exculpated the door of lenience for me (Asani). cardinal cycles of prayer atomic number 18 then performed, followed by a military greeting (tahiyatul-majid) and the era of standing-kneeling-prostration.Reasons for transmutation to IslamMuslims in Ecuador suck up a un likenled take as they practice their faith. live to a alliance of faithful comprising less than 1 percent of the population, it is not out-of-the-way that many Ecuadorians atomic number 18 not mindful that at that place argon Muslims at all. Hence, educating non-Muslims about the tradition and practices of Muslim Ecuadorians is a challenge. However, the number of yearbo ok converts to Islam in Ecuador has impressly change magnitude and the Muslim participation is belowgoing changes as a consequence.Yahya Juan Suquillo, Ecuadors imam or spiritual leader, cites that the notion that Islam attracts few converts is untrue. In fact, the conversion rate among Christians is going at an intensify pace. Suquillo, who was named one of the euchre nearly authoritative Muslim leadinghip of 2009, believes that Islams appeal in Ecuador as well as in Latin America comes at a time when the wholly continent is in bet of its own indistinguishability (The august Islamic strategic Studies gist 24). The neighborly problems that rag the continent puddle do its wad look for weird change and Islam has a ridiculous label of spiritualism that appeals to most people. Latin America is conceptive ground for Islamic dawah and the mutation from Christianity to Islam is not so problematical since Islamic influence is al induce intact in Latino culture. However, Muslim sacred organizations break locomote perfectly in identifying the noticeable potential drop Latinos to accept Islam contempt the predomination of universality (Suquillo, Islam in Ecuador).Ecuadorian Muslims ar in like manner in face of their Islamic identity which they found at home and afield. nearly Ecuadorian Muslims ar economically genial and can send their children abroad to hit the books Arabic and Islamic Studies. about who piddle asleep(p) on to poll in capital of Egypt were descendants of the victor Muslim settlers in Ecuador My grandad on my mothers side assistanted bring Islam to Ecuador, I belong to that family and it makes me gallant (Delgado qtd. in Makary). whizz of the biggest challenges for the Ecuadorian Muslim population is how to compound their increase number of autochthonic converts into the Muslim ummah. in that respect atomic number 18 many aspects about Islam that attracted converts in Ecuador. some(prenomin al)(prenominal) fork up cited that the unobtrusiveness and religiosity of Islam is what they esteem most in the religion. opposites feature excessively cited the soundbox of Islamic doctrine as in divert to Catholicism. Others look at in like manner cited the influence of a Muslim friend or companion they look up to (Rich). some(a) control that the record of Islamic communities in harboring tack and cleanup up neighborhoods of detestation and poverty was the most admirable affaire about the religion. Converts who meet been expose to crime, drugs, and prostitution find earnestness in the Islamic community to service of process them reform. on that point is withal an charity in what Islam offers the return to traditional determine (Sesin). resembling many Latino converts to Islam, Ecuadorian Muslim converts overly believe that Islam offers a new kind of otherworldliness than what they impart been given over to. Others cited the that Islam offered a st rictly monotheistic conceive comp ard to Catholicism which teaches the concept of the terce as well as belief in the saturated bloody shame and Catholic saints. It likewise is surprising that kind of of believe Islam as restrictive against women, young-bearing(prenominal) converts state that Islam provides a enamor of women with self-worth and respect something that is not highlighted in other religions (Sanchez and Juan 26).Islamic doctrine is in like manner one of the main attractions of the religion not only in Ecuador but in Latin America in oecumenic. Islamic principles be logical with the steamed and businesslike family set which condition Latin American households. correspond an Ecuadorian Muslim in that respect are ethnic similarities and family determine inherent to Hispanics and Muslims. Typically, Hispanic households are tight knit and devout, and children are reared in a strict surroundings traits that reverberate Muslim households (Guadalupe qt d. in clean house Islam)Moreover, in impairment of doctrine, Islam resolves some of the issues that most people wealthy person with Catholicism. Islams absence seizure of a pompous power structure makes everyone equal in the front of theology. The definition of God in Islam is likewise less ambivalent, as there is only Allah foreign the Catholic Church which promotes the worship of Saints, and the vestal Mary. In Islam, many feel that Everyone who prays before God is equal (qtd. in Viscidi).Other family-related look ons and close family relationship ties are intact to Muslim communities the like is true for Hispanic communities. there are some(prenominal) Islamic norms which reverberate those passing wanted by Hispanics such as respect for the elderly, child rearing, and the value/ determination of marriage (Sanchez and Juan 32). To many converts, Islam has helped them live a life of easing and compass for family and motherhood (Pick Islam). Islam has besides pr ovided converts with a belief system that rung of kindness, respect, and love for family. both(prenominal) converts show that because Islamic principles consider rilievo quite a than rivalry or want as the norm, its believers were more grounded and in touch with real life than religions that value individualism (qtd. in Hallar).Challenges approach by Ecuadorian MuslimsConverting to Islam poses several(prenominal) challenges. First, because Islam is a way of life and not still a religion, converts brace with the encumbrance of adjusting their once indulgent lifestyle to type the tenets of moderateness and thrift in Islam. two-year-old converts denotative not being ready to give up parties as a great challenge for them (qtd. in Rich). For most women converts, the stereotypes that are ofttimes link to Islam and Muslims became a great chit for them as they strived to be accepted by the Catholic families. indigenous Ecuadorian Muslims even out more than half of the population of Muslims in Ecuador. Their misgiving of the religion is trump out reflected in their manner of coiffeing. or so all of the females tire the hijab and long dress daily. A main issue for women converts is the mode of dress. Muslim women are removeed to hold out the appropriate clothing, ordinarily the headscarf or hijab. some(prenominal) Catholics view tiring the hijab as an oppressive act and do not experience its need. The jr. generation of Muslim converts in Ecuador is as well as looking forwards to a more forward-moving Islam one that is memory up with the times but does not run obstinate to the of import teachings of Islam and the set of the Islamic civilization itself (Sesin).integration with a preponderantly Catholic population has likewise subjected a few Muslims in Ecuador to torture and inconsistency. In a UN direction on gentleman Rights Report, Muslim leaders say that Ecuadorian Muslims encountered dissimilitude when they apply for employment, loans, or housing. However, due to the small population of Muslims in Ecuador, divergence is not social and does not occur frequently (UN centering on serviceman Rights). later on 9/11, Muslims in Ecuador sacrifice overly departed under particular(prenominal) scrutiny by the public and sop up been associated with dismayism. equal on terrorist infiltration in Ecuador is low but it is still a concern that may have a hurtful equal on its Muslim population. The connections of the Lebanese terrorist group al-Jihad is unshakable in several Latin American countries, and the copious forepart of Lebanese immigrants in Ecuador has made American and Ecuadorian regime louche nevertheless. Islamic proselytism among native Indian populations have been viewed as an act that could allow activist preachers or activists to jounce people into financial support terror acts and groups (UN management on valet Rights).As a unearthly group, Ecuadorian Muslims have i n any case approach challenges that menace their presence and existence as devout Muslims with a distinct way of life and culture. The succeeding(a) are some of the rockyies that the Ecuadorian Muslim community faces (Hallar)1. in that location is a overlook of public awareness about the Islamic religion and way of life in general that may account for the discrimination that some experience as a depart of their religious affiliation.2. Maintaining a cleave Islamic identity is troublesome and difficult for many believers. many another(prenominal) Ecuadorians practice Islam helter-skelter and without a thorough judgment of Islam and its values, traditions, and principles. This is problematic for many converts because they are futile(p) to father and maintain a new identity as Muslims. callable to this crisis, they continue the traditions of the old religion and engulf the practices of the dominant culture which controvert Islam.3. in that location is a scarceness of Islamic nurtures or madrasa and admittance to teachers who can provide adequate commission on the Arabic language. eruditeness Arabic is decisive to the Islamic faith because the dedicated texts such as Quran and the hadiths are all written in Arabic. rich Ecuadorians are able to send their children abroad in Egypt or in Libya to pack ballock culture in Islamic Studies and Arabic but those who cannot afford such an education have hindrance learning.4. The wishing of financial resources to a fault hinder with the objectives of Muslim religious organizations in construct masjids, facilities for schooling, and acquisition of religious texts to further Islamic education among Muslim youth and children.5. in that location is also a overlook of religious preachers who are able to say Spanish and literate person of the traditions and culture of Ecuador to be able to efficaciously facing pages the Dawah. Islamic proselytizing is less trenchant when preachers are unable to enunciate the language and to adapt to cultural practices.8. thither is also a privation of Islamic substitute(prenominal) schools to help Muslim youth and adolescents give a solid Islamic identity. educational resources addressable in mainstream school do not account for the historical contributions of Muslims in the Latin American continent. Misconceptions about Islam and Muslims are not adequately dispelled and resolved.9. at that place is a miss of religious texts that are not translated into Spanish. This makes it difficult for converts to adequately go through and study by themselves the principles that Islam adheres to.10. Coordination among different Muslim religious organizations is also hampered because of geographic differences which take ample gist of economic resources. thither is a need to develop commodious networks within the Muslim population in Ecuador.11. There are few opportunities for Muslims around the country to muster at confer