Source: Jewish Links – Enlace Judío – January 30,2020
(translated by app)
The Awakening of Radical Islamism in ChileChile can easily become the source from which radical Islam spreads throughout Latin America in full view and patience. Attempts have already been made in other places such as Peru, or Bolivarian Venezuela itself, but the results have not been helpful for the vile objectives of radicalism. The steady decline of the Catholic Church, in a deeply believing country like Chile, leaves a vacuum that radical Islamist groups could potentially use.
At this rate, with these investment amounts, it would not be surprising that in less than 5 years, Chile becomes the central Shiite stronghold in Latin America.
The [linked] opinion piece was from a few months ago; but apparently the Jewish authors are worried about the strong influence of radical Islam in Chile.
There is a concern that Chile may become a Shia stronghold in Latin America.
The problem here is that the continuing decline of the Catholic Church in Chile, along with the social unrest, may provide an inroad for Islam. [Read the article!]
The authors fear that because Chile has let in some radical Muslims over the last decade, they feel the infrastructure is already in place for Islamicization.
The problem with this exaggerated fear is that Chile is still less than 0.04% Islamic. There are only 5,000 Muslims out of 18 Million people, less than 1 in 3,000. There are only three or four mosques in the whole country.
Chile is, happily, one of the LEAST Islamic countries on the planet.
My own view is that Chile merits watching, but not so much on the issue of religion. Chilean society is far too secular for Islam to gain a major foothold. Too many forces work against Islam in Chile.
As noted elsewhere on this website, Islam does not stand much of a chance in a culture which ennobles alcohol, rowdy sports, and dancing with women. Islam is no match for the tango or the samba.
Those individuals who are given to moral conservatism – and fed up with Roman Catholicism – are more likely to swing to Pro-Zionist Evangelical Christianity, which already has made major inroads in Brazil and Chile.
What the influence of Iran may achieve is an increase in anti-Zionism or anti-Semitism among some sectors of society; but right now, the Evangelicals are keeping that in check.
The strong influence of Chilestinians [Palestinian-Chileans] has been noticed, but Chilestinians are 99% Christian. They are often quite anti-Israel, but they are NOT Islamic. They are a concern, and a growing one, but not a danger to Christianity.
Iran may get some support from Chilestinians and the Arab-Chilean community, but that may be limited to drug smuggling, money laundering, or anti-Israel activity. I seriously doubt large scale conversions to Islam will occur.
Islam likes to boast of its successes in South America, but in reality, those successes are hopelessly exaggerated, and often end in failure. There will be individuals who may convert, but I do not see societal changes.
If anything, as the Catholic Church declines, it is more likely that Evangelical Protestantism will increase. Brazil is a classic example. Chile is next in line to swing to Evangelicalism.
The authors of the linked opinion piece – who are Jewish – may not appreciate the power of Evangelical Christianity.
Israel should be worried about pro-Iranian activity in Chile insofar as it concerns Israel and Chile’s Jews, but Chile is probably not in any danger.