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.
Flag of Brazil
Map of Brazil
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. In January 2010, Brazil assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2010-11 term.
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. Consumer and investor confidence revived and GDP growth returned to positive in 2010, boosted by an export recovery. Brazil's strong growth and high interest rates make it an attractive destination for foreign investors.
Statistics on Brazil
Population: 203,429,773 (July 2011) World Rank #5
Life Expectancy at Birth: 72.53 years. World Rank #124
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.
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couldnt have put it better myself andy. i really like your way of thinking. hope you achieve what you set out to. god bless.
How many Wahabi/Salafis in Brazil?
http://salafiaqeedah.blogspot.com/2009/12/wahhabi-tree.html
ALHAMDU LILLAH =LET ALL COME TO JOIN ISLAMIC=for more contact:+2348184723531
Brazil would be a much better place with you religous idiots.
Ok then, lets see how big your GDP, military, workforce, and rate of urbanization are when all religious people (92.6% of Brazil's population) leave the country. You have just proven yourself to be an "atheist idiot".
It is a time to thank almighty Allah for exposing the light of ISLAM in the eye of every body .And it's also time for my fellow mankind to open your eyes and see the light of ISLAM because, it is the only religion that has no contradiction and considered as a religion by Almighty Allah.
Thank Allah that the number of Muslims in Brazil is increasing.And my fellow Brazilian Muslims please be inviting non Muslims with wisdom as the Holly Qur'an has teaches you to the right part (Islam)
The article seems almost a fantasy to me. "Cities with large presence of Muslims", what are those? I'm from BR, am 23 yo, have never lived outside of my country, have been to many cities in the Southeast and the Northeast - and I've never met a Muslim in my whole life. In fact, I've seen only one mosque: it was near the Paraíso neighborhood in São Paulo. And the mosque has been a church for decades already. Evangelical missionaries mobilizing to convert Muslims to Christianity - again, where are them? I've never read about it on the BR press either.
slam Marana.
how are u?
can u tell me abut the Muslim in Nigeria
is they OK there i wash they live happy.
FIghting Islam is a waste of time, it is fighting divinity. So many preach Christianity by preaching lies about Islam. Is Islam such a threat to Christianity to bring it into light in the preaching process? Allah willturn the heart of whom He wills and there is nothing anyone, a nation of the whole universe can do about it. If you do not like Islam, there is no obligation for anyone to become Muslim. The prophet Mohammed (pbuh) said " There is no compulsion in religion."
islam always afraid christanity that why they introduse sharia laws to prevent muslims to convert to christianity but in west there are no laws wich prevent christians to inter into islamic religion .hey people what about tanzania my country were muslim decline every day now christian have takr over
Islam is afraid? Islam is a person? This is the problem with people like you. People like you portray Islam as a monolith, with no diversity. You make it seem as though us Muslims are not individuals. The ahadith do not call for killing apostates unless said apostates go around terrorizing Muslims. Also the Qur'an in Surah al Kaffirun guarantees freedom of religion, going so far as to say "to you your religion and to me mine". The Qur'an in verse 2:256 says "la iqaraha fi dinn" ("There is no compulsion in religion"). Verse 2:256 was revealed when a group of Muslim converts from paganism were trying to force their children (who had converted to Judaism because of a Pre-Islamic custom,) to become Muslims. Muhammad, peace be upon him, preached this verse of the Qur'an to them and said they could not force their Jewish children to convert. Sure, there are areas of the world in which Christians are oppressed, for example Saudi Arabia. However, the Saudi regime is funded by the U.S. (e.g. we buy oil from them), and the U.S. does nothing about it. Saudi Arabia uses the money it receives from the U.S. to do as it pleases. There are Muslim countries in which Christians freely practice their religion and are integrated into society (e.g. Lebanon, U.A.E., Syria, Bangladesh, etc.). Please do not stereotype us.
islam alway teach hate tha why muslim cellebrate sept11 atack becouse tha the way stupi coran teach them 0653036247
Are you delusional? After 9/11, Muslims in Iran held candle light vigils for the 9/11 victims. Abdul Aziz al Shaykh, the former GRAND MUFTI OF SAUDI ARABIA, or maybe AHMAD SHAH MASSOUD, the MUSLIM WHO FOUGHT OFF THE U.S.S.R. IN AFGHANISTAN (effectively stopping the spread of communism in Asia, something the U.S. never accomplished) AND LATER FOUGHT AGAINST THE TALIBAN WHEN THEY TOOK OVER AFGHANISTAN AND AGAINST AL-QAEDA, YEARS BEFORE THE U.S. WAS INTERESTED (by the way, Ahmad Shah Massoud also predicted 9/11, having fought Al-Qaeda for years, and warned the U.S. of an impending attack, just months before 9/11, but we didn’t care. Massoud was assassinated just two days before September 11, 2001 by Al-Qaeda agents disguised as journalists). Maybe he hasn’t heard of MAHMOUND ABBAS, THE CURRENT PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT WHO HAS CONDEMNED TERRORISM AGAINST ISRAELIS. Maybe you haven't heard of ALI GOMAA, the GRAND MUFTI OF EGYPT, who has condemned terrorism. Maybe you haven't heard of the Muslim Brotherhood, which propagates itself non-violently and condemns terrorism. Remember, these aren’t Muslim nobodies, these are two high-status Muslim scholars, a Muslim political leader, and a famous (deceased) anti-terrorist Muslim mujaheedeen. Maybe you haven't heard of Aktar Raza Khan, the Grand Mufti of India who condemns terrorism. Maybe you haven't heard of of the 24 signatories of the Amman Message. Maybe you haven't heard of the 32 Muslim victims of 9/11. Maybe you haven't heard of the mosque in the 17th floor of the South Tower. Even Hassan Nasrallah leader of Hezbollah condemned 9/11. Don't be such an idiot. Muslims have fought, condemned, and warned against terrorism. Wake up.
by the way, if you really want to see who celebrated 9/11, I would suggest you look up pastor Pat Robertson (owner of the Christian Broadcasting Network) and pastor Jerry Falwell, both of whom agreed that they predicted 9/11 and that 9/11 was an act of God.
asslaoalakum
im raheel shahbaz from pakistan .now adays living in sao poulo.i hav etoknow about the muslim communities here in sao poulo.if some one canhelp me in finding job.im learning portuguese. it will take time to learn.befre that i need job.what ever type of it can bebasically im graphics designer.
regards
raheel shahbaz
salaam brothers and sisters..................
...... people of other faiths or no faith we are not here to enforce our religion on you, like some of the comments already on here "on to you your path and on to us ours", but may god give guidance to every one of you (inshallah).
The point i want to make is before you speak and try lowering ISLAM is to first go and read the translation of the quran and see what its about and DO NOT!! base your opinion on what the media has taught you or what you have heard from some person that wanted to just say something, a very good website where you can do this is at (www.tafheem.net) or just type tafheem in google, this website has translation by a few different scholars as well as in depth commentary.
(A side note for the christians), if you guys assign on to your god a son does that not lower him so that he needed a son and a woman cause he was feeling lonely ( an abomination attributed to a glorious creator, eternally blessed, far removed from what you associate with him)
(and also any athiests on here), just imagine for example you were stranded in the the middle of the sea from who would you ask for help when your heart gets filled with fear and there is nobody insight (would you say "nothing" please help me) or would you evolve (lol only jokin)
I'm Brazilian and my lifestyle and culture do not make it possible for anyone to live 'islamically'.
But it's SCARCELY surprising.....it's the same case anywhere else in the world, seeing that women are wearing Western clothing more and more often, even in islamic socities.So, it only indicates how impractical islam is. Not even Arabs can live up tho their old standards.
Tell people anywhere else to drop drinks and drugs, quit eating forbidden foods and go to the beaches in 'lovely' burqas. They'll answer to it with a big derisory laughter, because islam is really ridiculous.
I don't think there is anything wrong with wearing Western clothing. Most Muslim women are not going around wearing burqas or anything like that. It is possible to live Islamically in Brazil and anywhere else and all of the things you mention have nothing to do with Islam being 'ridiculous'. It's more like people seem to be more concerned with pursuing pleasure at any cost, even disobeying God's laws. Christianity demands much of the same restrictions you mentioned so if you are going to go on with your 'big derisory laughter' then you might as well extend that to Christianity as well.
There is nothing wrong with wearing Western clothing, right, but islam itself is not fine with it.
Most Muslim women may be dropping the islamic attire nowadays for practical reasons as dressing modestly does not require one being reduced to black walking tents.Also, going to the beach in Muslim clothes can be embarrasingly ridiculous both for men and women!
It's not possible to live 'islamically'. Neither here nor in China, nor anywhere else. Not even Muslims have succeeded in following islam in its strict way of life where it's deemed to be the most hospitable environment for islam, that is, in your own societies. Islam is not simply a religion, it's political too and by extension demands a set of rules which are not individually concerned, they bind the whole country, so you'll never know what being a Muslim is actually like, you're not under sharia.
You cannot say they 'chose to disobey God'. Islam can't even be proved to be from God.If you say that people who opted for alternative ways to islam are seeking pleasure, one can logically take it as an admission that islam is not something pleasurable to be observed.
Are you delusional? Many female converts to Islam in Britain and America are starting to wear hjiab/niqab. Also, just because someone is Arab, doesn't make them a good Muslim. That's quite a racist worldview. Also, Islam is not impractical. The Qur'an tells women to cover their hair, breasts, private parts, etc. to avoid the lustful gazes of men. Men naturally respond to sexual stimuli, so I don't see anything wrong with the Qur'an telling women to cover up. The Virgin Mary, may Allah be pleased with her, covered. Orthodox Jewish women and some Christian women cover. Lastly, its not just women who have dressing requirements. Men are required to shave their mustaches, keep their beards, cover their hair and private parts, and wear pants that begin at the navel and end at their ankles, according to the ahadith.
islam is a right relegious of god and everyone can read. Look .think. Understand . Verify and hear and read whole quraan with different language meaning and think twise or hundred times and enter the paradaise of GOD. Thanks
we have to look akheera ie. After death what will happend in grave what question angle will ask in grave, we have to give our life account from born to death in front of god that time no culture or drink or others accept God commemtment obeyed and prophate sunnah will help , donot see other islamic country sharia look only gods order in the way of prophate, this world is a place for preparing akheera and using things for carrying our life and those people have eye cannot see ,have ear cannot lisen and have mouth cannot say like deaf and blind, but god showing all things openly and proofing that islam is very simple and right religeous of god those accept will enter pradaise of god and refuse then hell, thanks
muslim men became suicide bombers because they have no hope in this life and life after death. They are promised to get 72 virgines and 10 boys for their sexual expeditions in heaven.Their wives became virgines again after their intercourse.Their boys always under the age of 10 and their faces are likes roses always in the heaven.
all muslim men are not suicide bomber and actual life is or endless iife is after death, here life is a carrier including food , house, work, wife and children to preparing to what god wants after death, this world seven earth and seven sky is no value infront of god ,, if the value of this world is equal to one wing of mosquito then god will not given one drop of water for nonbeliever. No sex in paradise, here woman become queen in paradise of womens. No boys or oldage all paradise men are age of 33 years like yesu( issa alaiisalam)
Where did you come up with this? Show me one reliable source. You are disgusting to make up something like this. Martyrs (people who die for a righteous cause, not suicide bombers like Al Qaeda) are promised 72 WIVES, not random virgins. 10 boys? How perverted are you? Have you seen terrorist statics in the U.S. and Europe? According to the FBI website, only 6% of terrorist attacks in the U.S. are done by Muslims, while 7% are done by Jews (does this mean Judaism promises 72 virgins?). According to Europol stats, only 1% of terrorist attacks in Europe in the last 5 years have been committed by Muslims, and 0 people died in the attacks. Do some research -it keeps you from sounding like an idiot.
so christians are you living by these rules (stated above)? do you love jesus? if you do then follow these rules (stated above). because even though jesus loves you, if your mommy was raped by a man she belongs to him, if your baby dies they will never see heaven, if your son becomes a slave he should obey his master no matter how he treats him and all the christian women out there remember the next time you enter a church not to talk.
Assalamu alaikum Jesus is not the son of God or God! He was onlly a messanger Thanks Ahalla