The Islamic Republic of Iran and the Processes for Promoting Shia Islam in Latin America

Similar to the rest of Ummah, the Shia branch constitutes a minority movement within the Islam practiced throughout Latin America. The majority of the Shiite communities are currently located in Argentina, Mexico, Colombia and Brazil. The first Shiite Muslims arrived in Latin America at the beginning of the 20th century from countries that are presently known as Lebanon and Syria. However, after the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979, through its embassies in the region, Iran inspired a process of Da’wah or Islamic summons of missionary nature that, even though it had a limited range, would boost some processes of conversion and activism in countries such as Brazil, Colombia, and in particular Argentina. In the latter country, the most influential and activist-natured Shiite community in Latin America was built around the Al-Tauhid mosque located in Barrio de Flores, Buenos Aires. To date, this process for promoting Shia Islam has not been properly studied. By taking that into consideration, this paper analyzes the efforts aimed at promoting Shia Islam in Latin America that have been carried out by the Iranian government and its network of embassies in the area as well as by educational and non-governmental Shiite missionary organizations, such as the Ahlul Bayt World Assembly and the Fundación Cultural Oriente (Middle Eastern Cultural Foundation), located in Teherán and Qom respectively. These organizations have promoted diverse activities within the last fifteen years that include translating and publishing religious Shiite literature, theological and religious training programs in Iran directed at young people in Latin American, and establishing Iran cultural centers in various Latin American cities, among other activities. This paper describes the modus operandi of these organizations in this region, specifically looking at three particular areas: Central America, Colombia, and Argentina. Furthermore, it analyzes the network of institutions and religious leaders that have formed part of this Da’wah effort, as well as the role of the Iran embassies. Lastly, this paper concludes that, despite an enormous effort from the Iranian government and religious foundations that have operated in Latin America during the last fifteen years, the results have been very limited; there have been few conversions, work from Da’wah organizations has been inconsistent, and the process of coordination between these organizations and the Iran embassies has been inefficient on some occasions. This study is based on research in this field, interviews, text analysis, media reports, and memoirs.