But Zia is one of an estimated 85,000 to 100,000 Muslims in Colombia, comprising less than 0.2 percent of the country's population. Within that community, though, is a prism of diverse backgrounds and experiences. Some of Colombia's Muslims reflect a rich history of migration to the region. Others are converts. The Colombian Islamic community is a small one but enjoys more on account of its diversity, Zia said, as he took a break from serving tea in his uncle Zaheer's restaurant
A spate of recent attacks has amplified fears among the country's religious minorities ahead of the February 12 vote, even though the government insists most incidents have been ordinary crimes. Dhaka, Bangladesh Sukumar Pramanik, a Hindu teacher in Rajshahi city about 250km (155 miles) from Bangladesh's capital, Dhaka says the country's upcoming national election could be his final test of trust in politics.