Not only did Arabs arrive in Havana during the 16th, and especially the 17th centuries, but they also brought with them a reflection of their culture, which had penetrated the natives of Andalucia and Córdoba, whose spirit is strongly felt in historic Old Havana. One has only to observe the reconstructed palaces, their courtyards, balconies, grounds; in sum, their architecture. That also goes for the other parts of Cuba.

Something that is not so well known. if they were from Northern Africa – Senegal, Mali, Gambia and Guinea – the slaves brought to the island from the earliest times of the Spanish conquest, also brought with them the stamp of Islam. For that reason, we shouldn’t be surprised that Arab words appear in their songs and religious rituals.

A great mass of Arab immigrants came to our coasts from the end of the 19th century and continuing until the middle of the 20th century. No less than 40,000 of them formed associations in Havana, while others did so in the interior of the country.

In the area located along the main street of Monte, between Indio and San Nicolás streets in downtown Havana, a neighborhood spontaneously began to form that still maintains its characteristics.

In honor of this immigration that fused with the Cuban people, a few years ago a monument was erected in a park located in the triangle formed by Monte, Aguila and Maloja streets, part of that same neighborhood.

Arabs fought for Cuba during the Wars of Independence, such as Comandante Elías Tuma, who was Lebanese. In the enclave of Virgen del Camino, in the municipality of San Miguel de Padrón, the residents created a monument to "Tomasito," as Dr. Tomás Tuma Isa was known. He was a physician committed to every sick person who needed his help, at a time when public health was precarious and abandoned by the governments of capitalist Cuba.

Cubans of Arab origin also fought in the battle for a socialist society. One example was Captain Antonio Daud, who was Palestinian. In this battle for freedom, which still continues, we should point to figures such Alfredo Yabur, former minister of Justice; philosopher and teacher Gaspar García Galló, and poet Fayad Jamis, the son of Palestinians.

Separately, we should highlight scientist Pedro Kourí Esmeja, a parasitologist who founded the Institute of Tropical Medicine that bears his name. And of our José Martí, we may recall his adolescent drama, Abdala, about an Islamic hero, who defended and died for his homeland. Almost a premonition.

When the sons and daughters of today’s Arab countries visit us, they find those historic influences and a living presence of their humanity.

Oh, and that habit that cannot be forgotten – cooking – is alive in Havana. One outstanding example is the El Arabe restaurant on Oficios street, next to the Museo de la Ciudad (City Museum) in the Plaza de Armas.