Abstract
This thesis outlines political, cultural, and religious connections between Cuba and the Middle East from 1959 until the present. Historical literature review, qualitative methods, and ethnographic research were used as methodologies to accomplish the investigation. By inquiring into the macro-narratives of Cuban history and cultural products —like the Organization of Solidarity with the People of Asia, Africa, and Latin America (OSPAAAL, for its acronym in Spanish) posters and El Árabe magazine—, the thesis explores the diplomatic power relations in which the actual Muslim community grows. Results of the investigations showed that internationalism was substituted by transnationalism, and then the transnational cultural policy performed a role in the development of new barbudos. Transregional and geopolitical connections with Middle Eastern nations were, through cultural products, expressed. These findings were not exempt from limitations; however, based on the results, this research defends that Cuban Islam is growing due to the interaction between Cuba and Middle Eastern countries.