El Salvador

Islam in El Salvador is a very small but present religious minority. Despite its size, the Muslim community is organized and active, especially in the capital, San Salvador. Here’s a detailed overview:

Islam in El Salvador

Muslim Population

  • The total Muslim population in El Salvador is estimated to be around 500 to 1,000 people.
  • This is out of a national population of about 6.5 million.
  • The majority of Muslims are immigrants (especially from Palestine, Lebanon, and other parts of the Middle East) and a growing number of local converts.

Islamic Centers and Mosques
There are a few key Islamic organizations:

Centro Islámico Salvadoreño (Islamic Center of El Salvador)

  • Located in San Salvador
  • Offers prayer services, Islamic education, Qur’an classes, and public events during Ramadan and Eid.
  • Provides Spanish-language Islamic literature for locals and converts.

Mosque of the Islamic Center

  • Serves as the main place of worship for the Muslim community.
  • Hosts Jumu’ah (Friday) prayers, iftars, and community gatherings.

Converts and Local Muslims
A growing number of Salvadorans have converted to Islam, often inspired by:

  • Contact with Muslim immigrants
  • Social media and online Dawah
  • Personal study of religion

Women make up a notable portion of these converts, and some wear hijab openly.

Relations and Public Perception

  • Islam is not widely known in El Salvador, and most people associate religion with Roman Catholicism or Evangelical Christianity.
  • Muslims generally practice freely but may face occasional misunderstandings or curiosity.
  • The community often engages in interfaith dialogue and charitable efforts to build understanding.

Legal Status

  • El Salvador’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion.
  • Muslims are allowed to freely practice, build mosques, and engage in religious activities.

Historical Roots

  • Islam was introduced to El Salvador mainly in the 20th century through Palestinian and Lebanese immigrants.
  • Some of these families came as Christians, but a few were Muslim, helping plant the early seeds of Islamic presence.

Education and Outreach

The Islamic Center offers:

  • Classes about Islam in Spanish
  • Public lectures and events
  • Support for converts

Regional Connection
El Salvador is part of a growing network of Latin American Muslim communities, often connected with similar efforts in:

  • Mexico
  • Colombia
  • Dominican Republic
  • Argentina

El Salvador
Country Code Top-Level Domain: .sv
Country Code: +503