A global Pew Research Survey of 36 countries released March 26 revealed a striking trend: while many people raised as Christians are leaving their faith, nearly all Muslims remain within Islam. Most of these religious conversions to Islam are happening in the United States—and notably, many are former Christians.
The U.S. has the world’s highest conversion rate to Islam, with 20% of Muslim Americans saying they were raised in another faith or with no religion at all. Among these converts, Latinos—mostly of Mexican or Puerto Rican descent—are joining Islam in growing numbers. A 2020 survey found that 9% of converts were Latino, up from 5% in 2017.
Some experts link this trend to shifting family dynamics. Around one-third of Hispanic households are led by single mothers, while Muslims in the U.S. are less likely to be divorced. However, theology appears to play a larger role in conversions. About 95% of Latino Muslim converts cited monotheism, and 94% said they sought a more direct connection to God.
Organizations like IslamInSpanish in Houston are actively reaching out to Latino communities. In 2021, they opened what they claim is the first Spanish-language mosque in the U.S., helping bridge culture and faith.