African Muslims in Early America

Islam has been part of the American religious fabric since the first colonial settlers arrived in North America, and African Muslims were an integral part of creating the United States, from mapping its borders to fighting against British rule.
In this video, Ayla Amon, scholar of Islam in the United States, offers a fascinating narrative of the history of African Muslims in early America. She tells the story of the amazing men, women, and children who tried to preserve their faith against all odds.
Ms Amon is a Curator of Social and Political History at the North Carolina Museum of History. You can read her biography at www.emir-stein.org/presenters....
For more information, read Ms Amon's "African Muslims in Early America" on the Smithsonian website: nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories....
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Website: www.emir-stein.org

[@tommyc114]

My understanding is that they would avoid bringing Muslim slaves because they were hard to control. They only submit to Allah...

[@aylaamon3267]

It was definitely a consideration by slave traders - there were laws prohibiting the transportation of Muslims to colonialized spaces in the Caribbean and South America beginning in the early 1500s. Muslims were known for inciting rebellions and refusing to work in all kinds of ways - they were also feared because they could read and write in a language that very few of the enslavers and colonizers could read (the Bahia Rebellion in Brazil in 1835 is a well-researched example). But those prohibitions don't make it to what we today call the United States. The British were less discerning about religion, and more focused on skill sets - e.g., for the Carolinas, they wanted enslaved peoples who were familiar with rice cultivation, many of whom were stolen from strong Muslim polities and empires. We can see their lasting presence in many Gullah-Geechee traditions and language today!

[@AMA-Online]

@@aylaamon3267 it definitely is hard to control and subjugate Muslims so the early 15th century prohibitions that you spoke of are very plausible. It's in the spirit and doctrine of the religion not to fear and to accept no one's claim of superiority. Thank you Ayla.

[@Zeyede_Siyum]

They only submit for the Arabs.

[@Silent_poet]

@@Zeyede_Siyum You don't have to declare that your iq is below average

[@Famemusicoffical]

Yet they did.. they despised Islam

[@DrQuinn601]

My 8th great grandfather, Abdulrahman Ibrahima Sori was a Fulani prince that was captured and taken to Mississippi. Ironically he was named Prince. He could read/write in Arabic and fought to be sent back to west Africa. My family has been a part of the research and the book updates for decades (Prince Among Slaves). My family still lives on the land and the surrounding areas where he was enslaved. Two of his children remained in the United States and I am one of the descendants. This is one of the things that I am most proud of. My cousin just recently published a children’s book on his life.

[@colettescotti2219]

This is great history I'm glad you were able to retain that information . What is the name of the book? Inshaallah I would love to use in my 5th grade social studies class

[@DrQuinn601]

@@colettescotti2219 It's called "Prince Among Slaves" for you more advanced readers and the other book for the 5th graders is called "From Timbo to Natchez."

[@Hallostarii]

What a great book hope I can read it some day inshallah

[@AllaahuAkbar60]

Being Muslim is a great blessing from Allah..

[@Rotisiv]

You can never take away the faith of a Muslim no matter what you do. We prefer to die for our faith than abandon it.

[@GokuGohanGokhanPlus]

❤

[@appliedknowledgeispower2024]

❤❤❤Proud Muslim born in west Africa Senegal 🇸🇳 ❤❤❤NYC stands with Palestine 🇵🇸

[@karl.lorenzo.trafton7157]

My . brother.and sister .in .Senegal .need to..tell..these sister s ..to .cover up and stop trying ing to blend in .to the ways of the West and being . passive and loving ever..body

[@cashmoney2898]

Al hamdudela. I have found my way back to Islam. and the most High.

[@nocapstreet8291]

Me too akhi, brothers in bondage, brothers in blood, brothers in Islam. ✊🏾

[@leehak7404]

Alhamdu liAllah

[@Azukos]

Amazing! May God reward and bless the ones working on these superb videos!

[@joanb398]

Very informative. Americans would benefit by learning this part of history. Thank you.

[@engineered.mechanized]

Dan Fodio, the African scholar, philosopher and theologian. He extablished the Sokoto Caliphate in the heart of Africa.

[@brodietaym8475]

Thank you for yet another wonderful and enlightening video. I always look forward to your videos and I love the quality that goes into producing them. You're doing Muslims such a huge favour, and I wish your message and content spreads to more people who really need to see it.

[@PeerKristijan]

This video is absolutely fascinating.. I never thought that Islam was so embedded in American history. Thank you.

[@blackerpanther3329]

It’s not

[@ibrahimasane3335]

The Muslim call to prayer is out of this world , ☺️

[@fedesetrtatio1]

So is the Gregorian Chant, Bhajans, mongolian throat singing and BEE Gees.

[@massonline1]

Thank you for this enormous knowledge. Glad to know people like you.

[@KGDHMF]

Emir Stein center is the only place I find peace and wisdom when I feel troubled about my own conviction in İslam. I am deeply saddened by the events that has been taken place in Sweden and the burning of the Qur'an. May God light your path and bring inner peace to you all, selamünaleyküm.

[@misteryolo7248]

what causes your conviction to falter ? what causes you doubts?

[@Frederick.J.Marshall]

The critical import of this piece can not be overstated. Thank you to Ayla and as ever to the Emir-Stein Center for providing a succinct and shareable narrative.

[@birdnestratfest]

nice story would like to hear account of mansa musa dynasty sending many ships to americas

[@MrMdemon]

What about the Muslim presence in the Americas that predated the coming of Europeans? Columbus used Muslim navigators for a reason. It was recorded that he saw a Mosque in Cuba. West African Muslims were trading and intermarrying with the peoples of the Americas before Columbus. There's evidence of Arabic writings and other evidence of a Muslim presence that goes back to the 7th century

[@mrjugurtha4077]

And they didn’t exterminate the native Americans

[@refatkhan5122]

Islam is ultimate truth

[@mohamoudhassan6934]

Tawheed. God is One!

[@lmn3668]

When upon the Sunnah!

[@baronesselsavonfreytag-lor1134]

Every religion based on Love is true.

[@sadikur69]

May Allah guide them back to their true religion

[@sagarlohana1989]

This channel should be more active, please upload more regularly

[@ozlemnazik9856]

Thank you for sharing 🌷

[@iozalper]

As-Salamalaikum to one and all the show was great. Please keep this kind of work up for it’s an inspiration to all Muslims answer, reverts and people that are thinking of reverting back to Islam the last and final testament to the world who is the old Testament and new Testament and the last Testament be in the glorious holy Quran, my gods mercy be upon all Muslims reverts, and make a lot of guidance to the others to be on the right path Ameen/Amen.

[@RaedAlHazme]

One of the most informative and impartial channels. Thanks Ayla and the Emir-Stein Center’s team. Keep-up the good work!

[@AllaahuAkbar60]

Allah saved me from difficult situations Alhamdulila when I was studying in university Allahu Akbar, Fajr prayer on time is equal to success all the time ⏲️Allahu Akbar Allah is the greatest ⏲️

[@3bdallah73]

When the Library of Congress launched Memoirs of Omar Ibn Saeed, who wrote during slavery It was in Arabic And read them all thanks from Kuwait 🇰🇼

[@clementeen]

My heart is wrenched at the suffering endured by the early slaves. Holding on to not only their black identity but also to their faith. May Allah bless all of those who passed fighting for their freedom to exist and believe. Ameen

[@OmarAlikaj]

Ami'yn

[@ToAllahIreturn]

Allahumma aamiin aamiin aamiin

[@danielyonas9928]

(CHRISTIANITY & ISLAM DEBATES) ON KZbin. (INFORMATIVE):

[@jeremyhodge6216]

This was a good video. I'm definitely glad I saw it 😌👌💯

[@sloopycat1954]

Is the Emir Stein centre a religious organisation, I'm guessing if they are their not Muslims, my point is it's a nice gesture to show the plight of poor Muslims and what they went through, thankyou great video.

[@lisafricano3512]

It's a charitable thought but please don't view any of us as "poor Muslims"- we have Allah, the Beneficent the Merciful. We are grateful to Allah as we are able through every hardship inshaAllah. We have Jenna prepared for us and this life is the blink of an eye.

[@musablue]

Despite the wicked behavior of the enslavers, our ancestors continued the worship of Allah. We brought Islam to America.

[@hamedoxified]

Mustafa Azemmouri is from "Azemmour" near "Aljadida" in morocco

[@samirakarim264]

Very informative, thanks

[@usmanmadha6828]

Alhamdolillah- Praise God.

[@ilhamh4359]

The first Muslims in the Americas arrived there and mixed with the local natives a few centuries before Columbus set foot there.

[@katyana92]

Aboubakri 2 The brother of Mansa Moussa. He is know as the first who discover America in 1312.

[@muhammadtoure9515]

Very informative, I appreciate the research done. This no doubt is history that must be brought out to better understand the history of America, as well the contributions of Muslims of African origin to the development of this country and why so many of African descent embrace Islam.

[@gabrielbelaid8028]

Thanks for sharing the amazing historic highlights. What you do is so much needed in our precarious times - and, how I wish, western media participated in spreading knowledge about the "other-and-the-different" - we would have created a more harmonious world. Good job!

[@marginal5774]

Thank you,interesting contents

[@innerpeace8581]

Great! Keep up the good work

[@Puntland1]

The first pillar of ISLAM affirms Commitment to FREEDOM (Worship only ALLAH)

[@laylaali5977]

Excellent program

[@MushtaqAhmad-jg3bn]

Allah bless Muslims in this life and hear after Ameen💖🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@imlaqahmad7325]

What a wonderful presentation. A True piece of History and very informative. Much Thanks for the upload. _Imlaq Ahmad (India)

[@Legacy224434]

Thank you!

[@henkwilliemadriannusvander1955]

Learned something new today. Thanks.

[@ibrahimmohammedibrahim9273]

Not only in america also in Brazil They have major role in male revolt

[@aylaamon3267]

Yes! The history of Islam in the Caribbean and Central and South America is so rich and important!

[@curtisthomas2670]

A possible Muslim named Boukman set off the Haitian Revolution

[@AllaahuAkbar60]

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar..

[@nurudeen2881]

Great 👍

[@curtisthomas2670]

Estevancio was taken on an expedition to Florida as an INTERPRETER. He spoke Arabic, a couple African languages, Portuguese and Spanish.

[@AmirElijah74]

This was very interesting.

[@naseeha450]

Alhamdulilah ala neimat islam

[@white-wq3eu]

nice

[@rosmahlicious6538]

I wish you have posters for many of your content

[@mansoormattil1264]

Alhamdulillah ❤

[@fariedmohamed4438]

Excellent

[@brucelaroche4903]

He who has an ear let him hear. Subhana Allah al Azim 🙏🏽 🕋☝🏾🤲🏼

[@Abbasview]

Putting Surah An Nas in a church is a heavy flex ❤

[@servantofjesuschrist839]

what about surat imran 106??

[@Abbasview]

@@servantofjesuschrist839 my dear brother in humanity this verse isn’t in reference to race It’s in reference to our souls Which could either be white with light Or black with darkness

[@Abbasview]

@@servantofjesuschrist839 in the afterlife there is no more “human” race

[@servantofjesuschrist839]

@@Abbasview Muhammed said in Bukhari shytan looks like a black man

[@Abbasview]

@@servantofjesuschrist839 now my good man You know that’s not what it says verbatim Quote it exactly thank you

[@IAM-ii4nq]

Saraka is Fulani name for rice/cereal cakes. They are usually shared in naming ceremonies, birth of the prophet Muhammad etc. Is it still practice in rural Gambia and other places in the ancient Mali empire

[@kiaj.d.5855]

My sister in law had a baby naming ceremony here in Texas. They are from Côte d’Ivoire.

[@nazrimumin7441]

Masha’Allah

[@sammymanu7584]

Thank you for bringing about Islam and inslaved African American. Our brothers and sisters were Muslim in Africa during the slave trades of colonization era. If you watched the movie "Roots" you will see Kunta Kente proven to be Muslim and endured harsher punishment for being Muslim at the time. We need more research in bringing the facts about Islam and is about peace!!!

[@cashmoney2898]

Check out roots the next Generation. it is excellent. Alex Hailey did part 2 a lot of people don’t know this.

[@ibrahimasane3335]

Wow I have been amazed by this video which actually proves the preservation of the Quran. The copy at 4:34 of Ayub Suleiman is actually a chapter from the Quran chapter 5 verse number 1. From now on I will never doubt my holy scripture 🥰

[@sloopycat1954]

@Ibrahima Sane the oral and written traditions of remembering the Quran made it virtually impossible to not be preserved, from the very first moment the Quran was revealed up until it was fully revealed, 23 years I believe that oral and written tradition began, making the Quran 100% tamper proof. The Quran discovered in Birmingham university Great Britain is carbon dated to the time when phrophet Muhamed was alive, identical to any Quran since and up until today. Peace to everyone.

[@misteryolo7248]

why would you doubt in the first place? we already know the Quran was preserved, so what exactly caused you to have doubts?

[@tauhidj2681]

Alhamdulillah Rabb ul Ālameen Āmeen 🤲🏽

[@md.wahidulislam7800]

Alhamdulillah.

[@lisafricano3512]

Great video. For further research I recommend the CSAM (Collections and Stories of American Muslims) in DC which has a traveling exhibit and DC's America's Islamic Heritage Museum. Its President, Amir Muhammad, wrote 'Muslims in America' which was my introduction to the vast subject.

[@aylaamon3267]

Thanks so much for watching! I'm familiar with Dr. Muhammad's great work, and I hope your comment introduces many more people to it!

[@greenghost5009]

Alhamdullilah 🤲🏾☪️

[@KhalidKhan-ki9bi]

Good 👍topic

[@MegaAli213]

Alhamdulilah Allahu Akbar the truth cannot be concealed forever. That which hides in the darkness is bound to brought I to the light of day. Our history is being exposed by that divine light of justice, that's reparations itself. Malcolm X.

[@fortunatomartino8549]

The country was founded by George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and John Quincy Adams All of them were black and Muslim

[@kamaruzzamanothman4431]

Today .... West want to teach us about humanity & respect others

[@514Exc]

I think the numbers were much higher then 10-15% muslim. At least 80% of the enslaved peoples were taken from Nigeria, even today 50% of nigerians follow islam and 40% are christian, pre colonization i'd imagine the % would be far greater.

[@leirahnamakula3999]

so emotional 😭😭😭

[@alishabazz7431]

Some sources say 40% , some say 33% some say 20%. Let Europeans tell it, 10-15% slaves were Muslims.

[@aylaamon3267]

I wish we knew! Scholars have been trying to get at a number for such a long time, but given the context in which this forced migration happened, we just have no way to know. What I can tell you is that people will agree that AT LEAST 10-15% were active, practicing Muslims, and a very large majority may have been either socially or politically Muslims, incorporated aspects of Islam into their lives, or been familiar with the religion. So, we underreport and speak to complexities with the continued hope that we will uncover data that notes the number is higher!

[@kafenwar]

A disproportionate amount of Muslim slaves were shipped to the United States because the climatic conditions of South Carolina, Georgia and other southern states was similar to that of the West African savannah lands of Senegambia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Mali. Furthermore these Muslim slaves had knowledge of rice cultivation and cattle rustling (especially the Fulani) that most Europeans did not have at the time.

[@abdullah.alanzia1]

رجاء تفعيل الترجمة العربية

[@EmirSteinCenter]

نرجو إضافة الترجمة العربية في القريب العاجل

[@cakmisbah6515]

Please give arabic subtitle

[@kdyrros]

Who’s recitation was featured in the video?

[@yamakbats]

sounds like Noreen Muhammad Siddiq

[@bey7khan761]

You just earned a NEW SUB !😃👍🏿 Thank you, for mentioning the AFRICAN Contribution to ISLAM !☪️. Islam & Arab Culture are 2 different things !

[@CanalPSG]

Ayla Amon is Curator of Political and Cultural History at the North Carolina Museum of History. Why is this not in the video? Her credentials are much better than the center suggests.

[@EmirSteinCenter]

Thank you for your comment. Ms Amon's credentials are clearly indicated in the video's description. The video was published with her approval.

[@Mn-gx1ii]

I will always be grateful to my African brothers for bringing Islam to America and for remaining close to the religion despite hardships and persecution. I would like to see a Muslim renaissance in the African American community. ❤❤

[@syedal-ferdous6799]

The word is pronounced as it’s spelled Muslim NOT Muzlim. I just can’t comprehend why this recurrence of mispronunciation. No offence to the the narrator but isn’t it high time we pay attention to this mispronunciation?

[@Rational_Believe]

04:43 what..? They bow to the sun..? Why are you lying..?

[@elifkorkmaz2660]

Turkish subtitle please❤️

[@gagecarty4290]

The Moors were Muslims and the great water travelers of the times

[@callahanfolt6460]

so some have to pretend they are christian to get back home? that's heartbreaking

[@omardanyerow8449]

I told you Muslim can't be slavery our religion set them free 14 00 year ago

[@abdouredjem4050]

It was a nasty cruel world and still is, not much has changed. Fools rule the world, brave fools execute, cowards benefits and laugh and spread hypocrite smiles.

[@Blackfoot100]

The Romans and the Greeks and the Persians are the first, too colonializied, so called Africa. Africa is a Roman European name.

[@AtmaureanNoble7]

Africa was only Tunisia after the Punic Wars.

[@immuslimisupportqatar7591]

afrika is the name of tunisia

[@Blackfoot100]

Africa is a European name from Rome, this a fact. Name a Roman conquer.

[@norama3998]

للأسف طمسوا عمدا الكثير من الأحداث التاريخية في حياة البشر لكن بدأ الأمر ينكشِف و تُفضَح جرائمهم في سكًان إفريقيا و الهُنود الحمر و المسلمين و المكسيكيين و و و و ..تبًا لكم

[@MushtaqAhmad-jg3bn]

Allah bless them in haven Ameen

[@kreal1]

The first photo shows Hernando de soto meeting Louisiana Creole Tribes I think the tribe In the photo is Atakapa-Ishak not sure fact check it.

[@bagshi9014]

Every video I've seen say %20 or More were Muslims how did you come up with 10/%15?

[@claytic1387]

I think people go of by different percentage because there just estimations people don’t know for sure I do believe it was 20% like you said

[@abdulazizmuhali7836]

Please translate into other languages

[@kreal1]

Saraka means rice its tied to fulfulde language

[@saburrashid5566]

Sadaka is charity or gifts where the word derived from when they gave these rice cakes they were giving sadakat.

[@hoyholy]

Islam was in America before cristoph Columbus. And black people's was free in america before cristoph Columbus.

[@theguyver4934]

Bro get your history right

[@wallacewarren]

What they don't tell you is before slavery in the 1600's Africans and Americans traveled back and forth a thousand a prior. America is the old world.

[@TataKukola]

What about tawny Moors that where expelled from Europe in 1490's? Did none come to the America's?

[@jaimesototv.]

Africans came before Columbus,they were not slaves;they were entrepreneur.

[@elizabethfairley6460]

But this is not about free Africans who came before Columbus; it's about African Muslims who were captured, brought to America on ships, and enslaved.

[@tiffanyr4355]

You see that..

[@immuslimisupportqatar7591]

mustafa azemmour is from morocco

[@ABC-b5y]

Who cares

[@nassirismail]

America.. Ameer(syekh) riga (rich).

[@lmn3668]

This is informative but kindly pronounce Islam and Muslim properly, both words are pronounced with a soft "s" like in the word soup or superman or musket!

[@aylaamon3267]

Sorry about that - unfortunately, that is something that years of Arabic and living in Morocco couldn't knock out of this Midwestern woman when she was nervous and told to overenunciate like I was in this video! But I absolutely hear you and apologize for my pronunciation!

[@archangelspardathadon9188]

All im going to say is Mansa Musa was the richest man on Earth He was a black muslim ask them if they know the True story of Mansa Musa.

[@peggysoumakis1758]

Orthodox Christians have been in America too. St. Photos shrine in Saint Augustine, Florida stands as testament to that.

[@peggysoumakis1758]

Greek Orthodox Christians were under the Islamic yoke at that time.

[@KingAbdulhaqq]

"Ring shout" is not related to islam.

[@misteryolo7248]

some of this info is solid while others seem far fetched, idk maybe they should've cited sources

[@deedeee6271]

How do you know? She's a scholar and I'm sure everything she's said here has been peer-reviewed by other Black History scholars.

[@aylaamon3267]

This is one of those gray areas - a lot of scholars think this tradition could be connected to the practice of circling the Ka'aba, as we have historical documentation that enslaved Muslims found other creative ways to "go" on the Hajj when they were not able to. It's also listed as a practice in historical sources alongside others that we know were performed by Muslim men, women, and children (such as daily prayers, religious celebrations, and proscriptions against certain behaviors), so there is a connection. The communities it came from are also a clue. We can't 100% know for sure, but it is definitely worth making the link to open doors for more research on the topic!

[@aylaamon3267]

@@misteryolo7248 Be happy to send them to you, if you'd like! Everything I said in the video has both scholarly and community support, as well as connections to historical sources and artifacts. Some pieces are still "maybes" - but that's the great part about putting the information out there so that anyone with additional sources can bring them to light and we can all learn more. If you have any to share, I'd be happy to see them, too!

[@ilhamh4359]

It's more like African culture.