Arab Legacy in Cuba: Havana's Museum Chronicles Levantine Immigrant Influence

The leading Abu Dhabi newspaper, The National, spotlighted a hidden gem in Old Havana this Friday: the House of Arabs. This museum provides a fascinating glimpse into the history of Arab immigration to Cuba and the lasting impact this community has had on Cuban identity since the 19th century.

Authored by Sara Ruthven reporting from Havana, the piece features insights from Jackeline Díaz Fuentes, the museum's director. It comes at a time when Old Havana is plagued by building collapses and power outages—losing nearly 1,000 structures annually. Yet, this cultural institution remains operational on Oficios Street, housed within a 17th-century colonial building.

The Arrival of Arab Immigrants in Cuba

The initial wave of Arab immigrants arrived in Cuba during the latter half of the 19th century, primarily from the Ottoman Levant, which includes modern-day Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine.

The reasons for their exodus varied: economic depression, high taxes, mandatory military service under the Ottoman Empire, the collapse of the silk trade, and a shortage of arable land. For many, Cuba served as a stopover on their way to the United States, but a significant number settled on the island.

Cultural Integration and Legacy

"Initially, young men arrived alone and worked as peddlers until they established stable import businesses," Díaz Fuentes told The National. Over time, these immigrants stopped bringing wives from their homelands and began to marry within the local population.

The integration was profound, with Arab Cubans even joining the fight in the 1895 War of Independence. "There are memorable examples of Arabs who identified with the Cuban people and their struggle for better living conditions," the museum director noted.

In 1979, the descendants of these immigrants formed the Arab Union of Cuba, bringing together the previously separate Lebanese, Palestinian, and other Arab societies that had been active since the 1920s.

Exhibits and Historical Artifacts

The museum features three distinct rooms: one displays traditional Arab weaponry—swords and rifles, some gifted to Fidel Castro by foreign dignitaries; another recreates a Bedouin tent reminiscent of the Kuwaiti desert; and a third presents photographs of immigrant families, letters, and personal belongings.

Opposite the museum stands the Abdallah Mosque, opened in 2015 with funding attributed to Saudi Arabia, accommodating around 500 worshippers. It replaced a small prayer room previously housed within the House of Arabs.

Historical Arab Influence in Cuba

Arab influence in Cuba predates the arrival of these Levantine immigrants. Díaz Fuentes highlights the profound impact of Muslim rule in Spain for over 700 years, which influenced the language and architecture brought to the island by Spanish colonizers.

The most cited example is the word "ojalá," derived from the Andalusian Arabic law šāʾ Allāh—"if God wills"—recognized by the Real Academia Española as having Arabic origins. "Many Arabic words have entered Spanish; even our expression 'ojalá' comes from the Arabic phrase 'inshallah'," explained the director.

The National's report also attributes, according to the museum's narrative, the redesign and popularization of the guayabera to a Lebanese textile merchant, though it does not specify his name or the exact date. This version lacks independent documentary corroboration, as the widely accepted origin places the guayabera in 18th-century Sancti Spíritus, with official use sanctioned in 1880.

Among the renowned Cuban figures of Arab descent are poet and painter Fayad Jamís (1930–1988), son of a Lebanese father, and music producer Emilio Estefan, born in Santiago de Cuba with Lebanese paternal roots.

"There is an inextricable link between Cubans and Arabs," summarized Díaz Fuentes. "They have left an indelible mark on the national history of Cuba."