What is the estimated percentage of slaves that were brought to America who were known to be Muslim?
Answer
As-salamu alaikum,
The Muslims amongst the slave population were about 15-30% according to most scholars. I think that it is about 25%, that is the middle estimate.
Name
Khadijah
- United States
Profession
Question
As-Salaamu Aliakum,
What is the earliest known date that Muslims were seen in the Americas?
Answer
As-salamu alaikum,
They were first seen in the 1400's. Christopher Columbus documented that he saw them, although it is recorded that Muslims arrived in the Americas in as early as the 1300's.
Name
Ameen
-
Profession
Question
Salaam,
Were there any examples of Muslims who made it out of slavery and returned to their homelands to their families? How many are there?
Answer
Wa alaikum as-salam,
There are about 4 that I am aware of, and the earliest of them was in 1733.
Name
Maryam
- Puerto Rico
Profession
Question
As-Salaamu Alaikum,
Is there any documentation of African Muslims making any sort of impact on Latin American lands?
Answer
Wa alaikum as-salam,
Yes there is. If we look we see the book "They Came Before Columbus" by Van Sertman and also Very Fells documented that in his book "Saga of America". This is well-documented. Refer to these sources for more information.
Name
Ajeebah
-
Profession
Question
Salaam,
What do you think are the greatest contributions that African Muslims have brought to the American experience?
Answer
Wa alaikum as-salamu,
They helped build the economic foundation of America, with their knowledge of cotton and rice etc., as well as their irrigational skills and knowledge of planting.
Later on you find leaders like Muhammad Ali, and other personalities, that have affected the American psyche on a large scale.
