Islam and the presence of Muslims in Brazil is not a new phenomenon, although Muslims are considered to be among the minorities of this land; But they have always been firm and adhere to Allah’s orders and commands.
Some writers and historians believe that Muslim Arabs entered Brazil before the arrival of the Portuguese.
And this claim is not without reason, but the historical stone inscriptions found on the coasts of this country are one of the biggest proofs of their long and historical presence in Brazil.
It is estimated that there are 500,000 Muslims in Brazil today, although the Federation of Muslim Associations of the country puts the number at 1,500,000. Most of the Muslims in Brazil live in the cities of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Curitiba and Foz do Iguaçu.
The conversion of Brazilian people to Islam
In fact, the thirst of the people of Brazil is quenched by Islam and the pure teachings of Muhammad (PBUH), and this is the only religion that the people of Brazil feel existing and find themselves by joining it, and on the other hand, they give color and polish to their existence and responsibility.
In fact, the secret of the success of Brazilian Muslims in attracting people to the religion and practice of Islam is the open-handedness of some Muslims in this poor country.
The first mosque in Brazil was established in 1952 in the city of Sao Paulo, and according to the statistics of the Muslim Union, today the number of mosques in Brazil has reached 115, while there were only seventy mosques in Brazil until 2005.
In fact, the number of Muslims in Brazil has increased significantly in the last five years. Many new Brazilian Muslims believe that the reason for Brazilians’ conversion to Islam is the clear message of Islam.
Brazilian women’s hijab
It is true that hijab makes women stronger in personal and social life. One of the Brazilian Muslim women said in an interview; I confess, and it must be said that hijab for me is not just a cloth to put on my head and go out on the street, in fact hijab for me is a matter of the heart that is caused by firm faith and firm heart belief in Allah. In fact, wearing a hijab is an important test of being a Muslim and believing in God and His commandments.
Sometimes there are people who easily challenge issues such as hijab and put the media destruction of its defenders on their agenda. It should be noted that women’s hijab is an issue that is considered obligatory in Christianity. George Zidan, a Christian scientist, says in this regard: If the purpose of hijab is to cover the body, this situation was common before Islam and even before the advent of the Christian religion, and its effects still remain in Europe itself.
Christianity has not only not changed the rules of the Jewish religion regarding women’s hijab and has continued its strict laws, but in some cases, it has gone a step further and emphasized the necessity of hijab, because in Jewish law, forming a family and marriage is considered sacred.
One of the Brazilian Muslim women in response to the question – if you want to compare hijab to something, what would you compare it to? She said: I think hijab is one of Allah’s blessings. Hijab is like a diamond, if we have a diamond, we will definitely not show it to everyone, because there is a possibility of danger. Today, we women are like a diamond, and we should be proud of our hijab, which is one of the orders of our holy religion.
Muslim minority in Brazil
Even though Muslims are a minority in Brazil, they take good care of their religious orders and programs. Brazil Muslims are known as a well-ordered and ethical group among the Brazilian society with the best behavior and spirit.
People who still have a flame of humanity in their hearts and consciences live with this small Muslim group in Brazilian society in a very loving and peaceful coexistence. And in some places, Muslims face problems and harassment, which is also sometimes caused by political and electoral events.
Nevertheless, the Muslims of this land, despite the conflicts and problems faced by them, have continued their Islamic life well and with a very moderate approach have caused others to come to this religion or at least change their views.