Al-Rahma International, affiliated with the Social Reform Society, seeks to open new channels for Islamic outreach through the “Light upon Light” project. Its European sector launched the project in various European countries to introduce Islam and the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and now plans to implement it in Brazil, which it considers fertile ground for the spread of Islam because of Brazilians’ strong interest in reading. Khaled Ali al-Mulla, head of Al-Rahma International’s Europe sector, said the organization’s visit showed that Brazil was fertile ground for Islam. He said it had also witnessed the conversion of a priest, a lawyer and a businessman through a young man who gave out books introducing Islam and the Prophet.
Al-Mulla said that during his visit to a Muslim community center in Brazil, a female lawyer came and announced her conversion. He explained that she was interested in decoration and had researched Islamic art in architecture. Finding it beautiful, she decided to learn about Islam, read about it and converted. He described her as having been born anew through entering Islam, and said anyone could help a Brazilian man or woman embrace Islam through “Light upon Light.” If God allows someone to guide even one person, that is better than the world and everything in it. He cited the narration of Sahl ibn Saad, may God be pleased with them, in which the Messenger of God told Ali: “By God, for God to guide one man through you is better for you than possessing red camels.” It is reported by al-Bukhari.
Al-Mulla added that a church priest asked about Islam and was given books to read. Within two months, he announced his conversion. His wife shunned him for a year, but he remained firm, prompting her to investigate why he was so committed. She researched and read about Islam, then converted herself, while the priest moved from Christian preaching to Islamic outreach. Al-Mulla said Brazil’s population was around 200 million, with one million Muslims, meaning Muslims represented no more than 0.5%. Women accounted for 45% of converts, most of them educated and holding university degrees.
He said Al-Rahma International aimed to establish Brazil’s largest Islamic center to care for new Muslims, a task requiring more planning, programs, cooperation and coordination, with the organization bearing responsibility through the creation of such centers. He described Brazil as a true model of peaceful coexistence and mutual respect among religions. The government guarantees freedom of religion, practice, outreach and dissemination, and, he said, there is no “Islamophobia.” A presidential decree designated 25 March as an annual day honoring the Arab community; the São Paulo state parliament designated 12 May as Islam Day; and Brazil’s parliament designated 29 November as a day of solidarity with the Palestinian people. The Brazilian constitution allows Muslim women to obtain official documents while wearing the hijab.
Al-Mulla said Islam was spreading rapidly among Brazilians and had now become Brazil’s second religion. He said this placed a heavy duty on the entire Muslim community, especially scholars and preachers, to welcome new Muslims and teach them the foundations of Islam. Brazil, like many countries around the world and particularly in Latin America, lacked preachers, educators and Islamic centers, which Al-Rahma International sought to build.
He confirmed that the “Light upon Light” fund supported many preachers working to spread Islam. He said the rate of growth of Islam in Brazil was increasing, although still far below that in other countries, because of factors including a shortage of translated books and preachers, especially Portuguese speakers. Al-Rahma International sought to provide translated books and preachers to invite people to the religion of Almighty God.