August 07, 2012
Brazil has a population of 211 million people.
The official demographics for Arab-Brazilians is all over the place, however, there is a consensus that about 7 million Brazilians are of Lebanese extraction, alone.
Syrian-Brazilians are estimated to 3 – 4 Million, though I suspect that estimate is low.
One has to remember that Lebanese and Syrian Christians were persecuted by Muslim Arabs, and may refuse to identify as Arab.
Allowing for other Arab immigration, it is a fair guess to assume that Brazil may have an astounding 12 – 15 million people of Arab descent. This is about 6% of the population.
Almost all these immigrants were Christian at first, though recently, some Muslims have started to arrive.
The Arab influence on Brazil has totally affected their culture.
For example:
Kibbe, a Lebanese dish, is now considered Brazilian.
Brazil has had a president, Michel Temer, of Lebanese extraction.
Posted on YouTube: November 25, 2008
Arab cuisine is ubiquitous in Brazil. The Arab footprint on Brazil is very large.
However, because the Lebanese Christians tend to be suspicious of Islam, and because Brazil has a very large Evangelical community (which is pro-Israel), Brazil tends to be pro-Israel, and the Palestinian issue does not carry a lot of weight.