Paraguay
Since Paraguay is located in an interior landlocked region of South America, in a geography that has little contact with Islamic culture and civilization, Islam is not widespread in the country. An estimated 2,000 Muslims live in Paraguay, the majority of whom are Syrian and Lebanese Arab immigrants from the Middle East. However, as in other South American countries, there has been a growing interest in Islam in Paraguay in recent years.
Today, the vast majority of Muslims in the country live in the capital city of Asuncion, while some others live in settlements on the border with Argentina and Brazil. There are several organizations representing the Muslim minority in the country. The most prominent of which is the Asuncion Islamic Culture and Solidarity Association (Centro Benefico Cultural Islamico Asuncion) in Asuncion. In addition to the Islamic Center of Paraguay, also located in Asuncion, institutions such as the Omar Bin Khattab Mosque, Ali Bin Abu Talib School, and Utba Bin Nafi School also serve Muslims.
The most basic demand of Muslims and the community interested in Islam in Paraguay are reliable sources where they can obtain information about religion. Islamic world's orientation towards the Latin American region and its efforts targeting the cultural and social sphere will further strengthen the growing interest in Islam in the region.
