1961. By 1963 there were hundreds of local assemblies. The Baháʼí Faith is currently the largest international religious minority in Bolivia and the largest population of Baháʼís in South America with a population estimated at 217,000 in 2005, according to the Association of Religion Data Archives. Islam Islam was brought by immigrants from Middle Eastern countries such as Palestine, Iran, Syria and Lebanon. Palestinian immigrants visited the country for the first time in 1970 and built the first Muslim community site called Centro Islamico Boliviano and located in Santa Cruz de la Sierra in 1986. The community was founded by Mahmud Amer Abusharar who spread Islam in Bolivia since 1974. The famous mosque in Bolivia is the Mezquita Yebel An-Nur which is located in La Paz and was founded in 2004. This mosque is the first recognized Sunni mosque in Bolivia. This mosque was founded in collaboration with Bolivian Muslims with local residents who often visit their homes. According to the 2010 census by Pew, there are 2,000 Muslims in Bolivia (representing 0.01% from total population), compared to 1,000 Muslims in 1990. Judaism The Jewish population is about 500 members, making it one of the smallest Jewish communities in South America. No religion A 2007 Gallup poll asking "Is religion important in your life?" showed 12% of respondents answering "No". The 2008 survey done by the Americas Barometer had 3.3% of participants indicating "no religion". A later survey, from February 2010, published in the newspaper La Prensa, but performed only in the capitals of El Alto, La Paz, Cochabamba and Santa Cruz, showed 5% of respondents professing to have no religion. References