Chicago, a city known for its diversity, is home to a unique but growing community of Latino Muslims. For many of them, the journey to Islam is not only a spiritual transformation but also an exploration of identity, belonging, and community. The Ojala Foundation, a Latino Muslim organization that has been pivotal in offering support, connection, and growth to those embracing Islam in the Latino community.
The journey to Islam for many Latino Muslims is filled with challenges. For Christopher Abdulkareem, a co-founder of the Ojala Foundation, embracing Islam at the age of 15 was a particularly lonely and difficult experience. With few communities to turn to for support, he had to navigate the complexities of his new faith without the resources many new Muslims now have. However, Abdulkareem found solace and a sense of belonging at the Mosque Foundation in the Chicago suburbs. There, he began working with a group of new Muslims and offering classes to others on similar paths. Over the years, his dedication to the Muslim community grew into a lifelong commitment. As he reflects, “It was also a way of securing myself within this faith, making sure that I could establish ourselves as a community and be part of that growth, where we’re having a seat at the table.”
Alma Campos, Co-Founder of the Latino organization, recalls the early days of her conversion. “When I came into Islam, it was overwhelming. It seemed so strange, and sometimes when you embrace Islam and go into a masjid, it’s so different from what you’re used to,” she said. She made a conscious decision to stay present despite the discomfort she initially felt. “People need to know who I am,” she explained, stressing the importance of representation for other Latinos who might be considering Islam.
In the late 1990s, as a group of Latino Muslims in Chicago began to organize, they formed the Latino Muslims of Chicago, an initiative aimed at uniting Latinos who had embraced Islam and offering them a space to share their faith and culture. While they were not yet a registered nonprofit, the group grew and began hosting events and activities for Latino Muslims in the city. Eventually, this grassroots effort evolved into what is now the Ojala Foundation.
Founded in 2017, Ojala Foundation has become a key player in addressing the needs of Latino Muslims in Chicago. Its mission is to provide a supportive space for converts and their families, especially in a city where the Muslim community is predominantly Arab, Desi, or African American. According to Abdul Karim, the majority of their community members (around 70–80%) are converts to Islam. The foundation offers educational classes, outreach programs, and social events, including its well-known Neighborly Deeds Initiative, where volunteers regularly feed the homeless in Latino neighborhoods such as Pilsen and Little Village.
Despite these successes, Ojala Foundation faces several challenges, including the need for a permanent physical space. Currently, the foundation rents spaces for its activities, which can be a logistical challenge. “We’ve been asking other masajid if we can use their spaces, and sometimes we have to rent parks or other venues,” says Abdul Karim. “But having our own space will allow us to serve our community more effectively and with consistency.”
The foundation’s goal is to establish a center in Berwyn, a Chicago suburb with a high Latino population but few Islamic resources. This area, which stretches over a six-mile radius, is one of the largest “Islamic dead zones” in the city, with no masjid to serve the local Muslim population. “This is crucial,” Alma said. “The Latino community is looking for something, and we want to be the ones to provide it. Our community needs a space where they can come, be accepted, and learn about Islam without fear of losing their cultural identity.”
The proposed center would not only serve the growing Latino Muslim community but would also be a resource for the wider Muslim population in the area. The foundation hopes to offer ongoing classes, host large community events, and provide a gathering space for the youth. Additionally, having a permanent location would allow Ojala to better produce and share media, as its programs are already reaching a global audience, with Latinos from all over Latin America joining their online classes and events.
The Latino Muslim community in Chicago, and particularly the Ojala Foundation, is proving that faith and cultural identity do not have to be at odds. By offering a space for Latino Muslims to come together, Ojala is helping to reshape the Muslim community in Chicago and beyond. As more Latinos embrace Islam, the need for organizations like Ojala becomes even more crucial. With their ongoing efforts to raise funds and build a physical space, the future of Latino Muslims in Chicago looks brighter than ever.