Latino Muslims Find New Home: Houston Opens First Spanish-Language Mosque
In a groundbreaking development for religious diversity in Texas, the IslamInSpanish Centro Islámico has established what organizers describe as the nation's only Spanish-language mosque in Houston's Alief neighborhood, reports the Houston Chronicle."This is more than just a mosque - it's a cultural center, a community hub, and a place of learning," says Jaime "Mujahid" Fletcher, the Colombian-born founder of IslamInSpanish, speaking to the Chronicle. The $4 million, 10,200-square-foot facility sits beneath the Alief Water Tower off the Westpark Tollway.
The center's co-founder, Sandy "Sakinah" Guiterrez, tells the Houston Chronicle that the facility's design draws inspiration from the Great Mosque of Córdoba in Spain. A notable feature includes a 3,600-square-foot production studio that creates Spanish-language Islamic educational content. According to a 2020 Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU) survey, Latino converts now represent 9 percent of America's Muslim population, a significant increase from 5 percent in 2017.
The Greater Houston Partnership reports that the city's Muslim population has grown to approximately 500,000.Dr. Craig Considine, a senior lecturer at Rice University specializing in religious and cultural studies, tells the Chronicle, "IslamInSpanish is a pioneer. It's multi-ethnic, multinational, and multi-racial. It's the quintessential American story of community building."
The Houston Muslim community's demographic data, provided by the Islamic Society of Greater Houston, indicates a steady increase in Latino converts over the past decade. "We're seeing more Latinos finding common ground between their cultural heritage and Islamic traditions," notes Mustafaa Carroll, former executive director of CAIR-Houston, in an interview with local media. At the center's opening ceremony, which drew approximately 100 attendees, Houston Councilwoman Tiffany Thomas emphasized the facility's importance to Southwest Alief's diverse community. "This center represents the kind of inclusive growth we want to see in our district," Thomas stated during the ceremony.
The Pew Research Center estimates the national Latino Muslim population between 40,000 and 200,000, though exact figures remain difficult to determine. The American Muslim Council suggests this number could be higher, given recent conversion trends in major urban areas. After reflecting on his journey from former gang leader to Muslim community leader, Fletcher told the Chronicle, "Our center provides a unique space where Latino Muslims can practice their faith while maintaining their cultural identity."
As Texas demographics continue to shift, with the state government reporting Latinos as the largest population group, the IslamInSpanish Centro Islámico stands as a testament to America's evolving religious landscape. The center's establishment marks a significant milestone in integrating Latino and Islamic cultures in one of America's most diverse metropolitan areas.