In the 1860s, 'Abd al-Rahman al-Baghdadi, an Ottoman Arab scholar ('ulama or Muslim cleric), spent a few years in Brazil mostly trying to improve the decaying state of the Islamic faith among the African slave community. He left behind a travel account, and in one part he discusses the indigenous Brazilian Indians:
What might have happened if Al-Baghdadi had headed out west into the Amazon anyways, aiming to convert the Indians to Islam?
In those lands, live nations of Human beings, originally the people of this country who were not civilized and did not come under the control of any power. The kings of the states were not able to subjugate them. They live in the forest and vast lands.
[...]
Several times I thought of going to these people to convert them to Islam, but the Muslims [the Afro-Brazilian Muslim community] prevented me from doing so. They said that these people would not accept me especially since I do not know their language. "Perhaps they will do violence against you. Mind your business so that you do not encounter unwanted situations."
[...]
Several times I thought of going to these people to convert them to Islam, but the Muslims [the Afro-Brazilian Muslim community] prevented me from doing so. They said that these people would not accept me especially since I do not know their language. "Perhaps they will do violence against you. Mind your business so that you do not encounter unwanted situations."
What might have happened if Al-Baghdadi had headed out west into the Amazon anyways, aiming to convert the Indians to Islam?