The Balkan Chronicle

America's ever-growing Latino-Muslim population has yet to be estimated statistically. However, it is indisputable that with exponential growth Latino-Muslims find increasing presence and voice in the American Muslim public square.

Latino paths to Islam are as diverse as Hispanic countries of origin and roots: from the Caribbean, Central and South America or even Spain. The conduits to their new spiritual journeys derive from a variety of life experiences that range from the sublime appeal of accidentally listening to Quranic recitation or from a close encounter with a Muslim performing one of his five daily prayers.

Some of you may know the book "The 100 ranking of the most influential Persons in history", written by Michael Hart.

In his book Michael Hart, an American, a Christian and a University professor, ranked popular people from history according to their importance to mankind, based on their achievements. No surprise, Ranked number one, the most important person in the history of all mankind is the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh); but just a few people know that there is another Muslim within the top 100.

Umar Al Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), the second caliph of the Muslim Ummah, is also named one of the "top performers" of mankind, as we would say today!

How is life treating you?

People never answer this question honestly, do they? You ask them, "What's up?" and they never say, "Oh brother, let me tell you," and start pouring out their troubles. Because people don't want to burden others.

When the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) migrated to Madinah there was no ruler, no written rules and consequently, no accountability for crimes committed. The mightiest had a free hand, while the weak had to hide behind the strong, usually the tribe or the leader of the tribe, in order to survive.

There were constant internecine, tribal wars with a general lawlessness prevailing in Arabia. The Prophet at once set about organising the city in order to give it the semblance of a state and to codify laws, which would form the basis of what can safely be called a basic constitution.

At the time of the Muslims' arrival in Madinah, the population of the city was said to be about 10,000. Of these, only about 15 per cent were immigrant Muslims; the rest was almost equally divided between Jews and polytheists. There were no common laws and no central command.