Cuba, one of very few countries in the world still operating within a communist framework, remains a sought-after destination for those wanting to get a glimpse or experience life at the brink of an industrial capitalism that took over the rest of the world. In recent years however, Cuba’s seen a hoard of interest from outsiders looking in on the local population’s efforts to innovate their way around the country’s social and economic obstacles. While many treasure the simpler and slower pace of life, many are keen to invest in a flourishing self-made market emerging in the country’s most populated areas, this includes the formation of diverse religious groups.

Cuba’s seen a surge in reverts to Islam in recent years, and many are intrigued by the efforts of the 10,000 strong Muslim community to organise themselves in a country where some of the world’s other major religions, although tolerated, are also publicly frowned upon.

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A Brief History of Islam in Cuba

Unlike other parts of Latin America and the Caribbean, there’s not a deep rooted legacy of Islam in Cuba. Rather, Islam found its way to Cuba through the migration of members of Muslim majority countries during the 1970s and 1980, including parts of Africa and South Asia. As such, the Muslim community in Cuba remained small  but growing during a window of religious freedom in Cuba, and has only really gained momentum in terms of numbers and resources in recent years.

Islam in Cuba Today

Prior to recent years, Muslims in the country had little to no resources for congregational practices like prayer, which would otherwise take place in people’s homes or outside spaces. 2015 saw the efforts of the Muslim community in Cuba come together to build the country’s first mosque in Old Havana, which now houses students who migrate from all over the world to study and help build a community on the island. Last year, America’s famous Qalam institute organised a Cuban retreat during the holy month of Ramadan, to raise awareness of the minority community in the country, as well as providing a beautifully extended hand to the Muslim community across the world.

A report from PEW claims that the Muslim community in Cuba will take a steady course of growth in the coming years, as the community gives birth to some Cuba’s first generation of Muslims.