American education teaches all about Christopher Columbus & the Christian influence on America while omitting the fact that Muslims existed in America hundreds of years before Columbus was born. This article will discuss the Muslim roots in American history & why they are important today.
Muslims in America
To begin, Muslims first discovery of America seems to be in the mid 7th century. This is roughly 800 years before Columbus arrived in 1492. A book by a Spanish Muslim historian from the 8th century states that a Muslim navigator traveled across the sea to an unknown land and returned with much treasure. This Muslim navigator made a map that showed the Atlantic ocean and the Americas, although he referred to America as ‘the unknown territory’.
In the southwestern United States, they found an Arabic carving ‘Yasus bin Maria’ which means Jesus, son of Mary. It came from the native territory of Nevada. Although the age of these carvings is disputed, they do prove that Muslims had early contact with America, specifically Native Americans. Muslims had especially close ties with the Cherokees. One Cherokee chief was named Ramadhan Ibn Wati. His name traces back to 1866.
Muslims in Latin America
Muslims had also been to Latin America earlier than the 12th century. Columbus is reported to have mentioned seeing a mosque on the Cuban coast in 1178, and while some claim that this is an interpretation mistake, there is extensive history of Islamic expansion into Latin America.
On October 12 1492, Columbus arrived on a small Bahamian island called Guanahani. The word Guana means brother, and Hani is a traditional Arab name. Some people believe this means ‘Hani Brothers’.
In nearby Honduras, there is a huge population of Africans to this day. This is because West African Muslims expanded into the region and married into the native tribes. Also, Tallahassee means that Allah will deliver you in the future.
Muslim slaves
There are several different influences to the Muslim roots in American history. West African Muslims did not always come to America out of their own free will. They came much later during slavery as well. Many African Muslims were killed due to fear they would rebel against their ‘masters’, but some were brought to America as well.
One slave named Ayuba Suleyman Diallo was a Fulani Muslim Prince in West Africa. Many people point out that Muslims take slaves as well. However, in Islam slavery comes from capturing people who invade your land. It does not involve invading other peoples lands & taking slaves. This is important to realize.
Ayuba had met his captor before during a sale, & pleaded with his captor to send word to his family for his bond to be paid. The messenger never returned, probably because they had captured his family as well.
He was sold to a slave-owner in Maryland. With the help of a British lawyer, his named was changed to the Christian name ‘Job Ben Solomon’.
However, Ayuba was a Muslim & would not turn back on his religion to please the Christians. He continued to write the Quran over & over again, so many times that he caught the attention of those who had influence over his slave owner. He was known as ‘the intelligent slave’, and his owner was pressured to release him. Eventually he was released, but first he was brought to England so they could make a goodbye portrait. His family was never released. His father died & his wife had remarried.
Muslims have a long & outstanding history in the United States of America, specifically with indigenous people. Native Americans should learn about how closely Islam relates to their native culture. In the past, Muslims have helped Native Americans; even helping draft contracts for the white people to uphold. The legitimacy of the US rests in the hands of the indigenous people. Indigenous people, Africans & Muslims have a common struggle. It’s time we recognize that.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayuba_Suleiman_Diallo https://historynewsnetwork.org/article/23662 https://aeon.co/essays/muslims-lived-in-america-before-protestantism-even-existed http://www.muslimsinamerica.org/early-history-.html https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/muslims-were-banned-americas-early-16th-century-180962059/
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