How was Islam introduced to America?

Answer 1

American Muslim men and women are as diverse as the world. Their original ancestries represent multitudes of countries and regions and contrary to common assumptions they are not monolithic representatives of one reality. Despite their small numbers (5-7 million) their presence in this country pre-dates the American Revolution and Christopher Columbus (2). Since the 1500′s Muslims traveled and explored North America. Christopher Columbus sailed to the Americas with two ship captains and their younger brother who were related to Abuzayan Muhammad III, the Moroccan Sultan (1196-1465) (3). In 1572 fleeing the Spanish Inquisition Muslim Estevancio of Azamor (meaning North African Azamiri) was the first to explore Arizona and New Mexico (4).

Every war America fought, American Muslims played a role. During the American Revolution Peter Saleem (Salem), Yusuf bin Ali, Bampett Muhammad, Saleem (Salem) Poor among others- fought and died with American revolutionaries. Poor fought at the Battle of Bunker Hill in Colonel Frye's Regiment. Colonel William Prescott and 14 officers petitioned the legislatures of Massachusetts to reward officer Poor for his bravery, distinguished accomplishments and exceptional character. Peter Saleem also fought in the Battle of Bunker Hill and was lauded for his valor. He received his honors in the presence of George Washington. Both Saleem and Poor (5) are commemorated on U.S. postage stamps.

Many of the early African Americans who by force or abduction were enslaved to build American colonies were Muslim (6). Muhammad Bilal in his early teens was abducted from his well educated Muslim family in Sierra Leone (7). Bilal along with 80 Muslims under his command fought the British in the war of 1812 successfully defending Sapelo Island for the Americans. Bilal authored the first American Muslim Arabic manuscript titled "Rissala" or "message" that explored his faith, beliefs and prayers (8). Also in 1832 Omar Said's hand written accounts of his abduction and enslavement in South and North Carolina were written in Arabic- he was a Muslim.

The Founding Fathers thoughtfully considered the relationship of Islam to the new nation. They willingly included provisions to protect Muslims. In Jefferson's autobiography, he recounts the passage of his landmark Bill for "Establishing Religious Freedom" and wrote with satisfaction of Virginia legislature's rational rejection to limit the bill's scope by including protections for "Mohamaten" (Muslims) (9). Jefferson often stated his despise of narrow-mindedness declaring "Bigotry is the disease of ignorance."