New Mexico may have been mostly Catholic due to its Spanish colonial history, but the area is also home to the first Muslim planned community in the United States. Known as the Dar al-Islam, the village was aimed to be the first community where residents could practice a full Islamic lifestyle.

The Dar al-Islam was founded in 1979 and was initially designed to be home to 150 families. It has gone through a lot over the past decades, and was able to build a mosque and school made of mud bricks, both after the North African architecture motif. Both structures now stand as well known tourist attractions.

Visitors are welcome to the Dar al-Islam site. However, they are advised to arrange the visit beforehand.