The Latino community represents one of the last frontiers for Islamic dawah in America, and two brothers — born to Ecuadorian immigrants in New York — are leading the charge. From Catholic altar boys to Muslim activists, their journey through gang culture, Catholic school, and a deep search for truth led them to Islam and inspired the creation of the most comprehensive Spanish-language Islamic media platform in the world.
From Altar Boy to Muslim
Raised by devout Catholic parents who moved from New York to Houston in search of a better life, these brothers grew up attending church every Sunday. One served as an altar boy, carrying the cross for the priest during processions. But by age 13, questions about Christianity’s fundamental claims began surfacing. The answers were not satisfying, and the segregated, gang-infested environment of 1990s Houston offered no spiritual refuge. It was through a friend who accepted Islam at 13 and the simple act of observing him pray that the seed of faith was planted.
“I remember asking my friend: why are you changing your religion at 13? He said: because I believe it is the truth. Then I watched him pray, and something in my heart recognized that this was real.”
Building a Spanish-Language Islamic Movement
- After accepting Islam, the brothers faced the challenge of sharing the message with their Spanish-speaking family — and discovered that virtually no Islamic resources existed in Spanish
- Their father challenged them: “How can Islam be universal if there is nothing in Spanish? The Muslims lived in Spain for 800 years and left no books?” This became the catalyst for a movement
- They created the number one Spanish-language Islamic website with over 300 audio recordings, 300+ videos, a weekly television show in Houston, and an online radio station
- During a single family visit to Ecuador, 14 people accepted Islam — proving the hunger for this message among Latino communities
“My father said: if nobody else has created Spanish Islamic material, then you have to do it. So we did — together. He narrates our audio books, and alhamdulillah, our content has now reached every corner of the Spanish-speaking world.”
The story of these Latino Muslim brothers is a testament to the universality of Islam’s message. No matter your language, culture, or background, the truth of One God and the final prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him) transcends every barrier. If you are Latino and curious about Islam, know that a growing community of Spanish-speaking Muslims is ready to welcome you with open arms and resources in your own language.
