san cristobal de las casas mexico trip mexico indigenous maya heartland show vibrant muslim community spring predominantly roman catholic country southern state chiapas home lush mountainous landscape photograph members small muslim community make hundreds mostly indigenous tzotzil men women many convert islam catholic christian denominations muslim men distinguish prayer cap kufis women hijabs take form traditional maya shawls locals say conversions islam begin late 1980s around time mexico zapatista movement gain traction chiapas institutions include christianity capitalism come increase criticism accord last census 83 percent mexicans catholic although muslims make less percent mexico 120 million population disproportionate number indigenous cluster around san cristobal de las casas highland city chiapas mix maya spanish identity people give us weird look convert think terrorists scar us say mustafa member nearby ahmadia community passage time action opinion change add umar indigenous former evangelical pastor convert islam late 1990s serve bridge local christians muslims monotheistic religion say worship saint late meet 55-year-old mohamed amin invite home offer cookies tea show pray five time day introduce family ask believe god say appear bother go explain main reason behind conversion islam like clean change clothe say clean religion originally draw relate photo essay see reut.rs/2izhpmh wide image mexico 's indigenous muslims maya heartland