Muslim Slaves in Antebellum America

According to one scholar, "Muslims have been part of the American landscape since pre-Columbus times" (Slavery 1). In Antebellum America, it is estimated that some 10-20 percent of the slaves brought over from Africa were Muslims (Slavery 1). Viewers of the film Amistad are no doubt familiar with this fact, as the movie features Muslim slaves aboard the slave ship of the film's title trying to say their prayers while linked together on deck. This analysis will discuss the experiences of Muslim slaves in antebellum America.

American Muslim history is more diverse and longer than many Americans might realize. American Muslim history can be traced to the day the first slave ship landed on Virginia's coast in 1619 (Tweed 1). One of Malcolm X's most inspiring lines regarding Muslim slave history was "We didn't land on Plymouth Rock. Plymouth Rock landed on us" (Tweed 3). Muslim slaves were generally treated to the same abusive and inhumane experiences as other African slaves. A majority of Muslim slaves were coerced into converting to Christianity, but many retained their Muslim identity des

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Category: History - M