In this chapter, I will be focusing on immigration and the history of the American Muslim presence in the United States. Using my immigrant father’s story and stories of America’s first Muslim “immigrants” as a backdrop, I will attempt to address the issues that Muslims coming to America have faced since the earliest years of its history. I will also provide instances in which they persevered and went on to aid in the creation of the nation we live in today.
American Muslim immigrants have suffered and continue to suffer in both social and legal contexts because of their faith and nationalities, mainly due to American ideas surrounding Muslims that have evolved over the course of centuries. This is ironic and unjust considering the many ways in which immigrant Muslims contribute to the success of the nation financially, politically, and socially, whether it be now or in the past. In this chapter, I will start off by injecting the reader into the story of an American Muslim immigrant; my father. I will tell the story of his coming to America and explain the hardships he faced as a Muslim living in New York in the late 90s and early 2000s. As historical counterparts to this same narrative, I will be shining a spotlight on foreigner Muslims in early America; Arab diplomats, merchants, and travelers immigrating from North Africa, Muslims from Andalusia, African slaves who were forced to come to America, and many other Muslims who were present around the time of the founding of the nation and beyond, whether it be voluntarily or involuntarily. I will be observing how the treatment of American Muslim immigrants has changed over time and offer suggestions for pathways moving forward to limit the abuse and neglect of this group that plays such a key role in the country’s maintenance and prosperity.
For this chapter, I will be relying on the following sources (this remains an evolving list and may be subject to changes):
A Muslim American Slave: The Life of Omar Ibn Said by Omar Ibn Said
A Prince Among Slaves: The True Story of an African Prince Sold into Slavery in the American South by Terry Alford
A History of Islam in America by Kambiz GhaneaBassiri
How Does it Feel to be a Problem? Being Young and Arab in America by Moustafa Bayoumi
To Be Honest: Voices on Donald Trump’s Muslim Ban by Sarah Beth Kaufman
The ISPU’s (Institute for Social Policy and Understanding) data pertaining to the growth of the immigrant Muslim population in America
Legal documents such as former President Trump’s Muslim Ban (Executive Order 13769) and similar documents that have been drafted throughout America’s history
Acknowledgments
I would like to express special thanks and gratitude to my professor and mentor Dr. Nathan Walker as well as the Rutgers Honors College who have given me the opportunity and encouragement to do this meaningful and pertinent research. By engrossing myself in this subject matter, I honor myself and those who share and have shared with me in the American Muslim experience, such as my friends, family, and religious peers, to whom this research is also dedicated. I would also like to express my appreciation for organizations all around the country such as the ISPU who are committed to educating the public on the realities faced by American Muslims while strengthening interfaith dialogue and exploring new pathways for coexistence and unity.
...
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ReligionAndPublicLife.org or its partners, funders, or other contributors.
Chapter 1: Muslim Immigration and Slavery in Early America
Report
There was a problem reporting this post.
Block Member?
Please confirm you want to block this member.
You will no longer be able to:
See blocked member's posts
Mention this member in posts
Invite this member to clubs
Message this member
Add this member as a connection
Please note:
This action will also remove this member from your connections and send a report to the site admin.
Please allow a few minutes for this process to complete.
Report
You have already reported this .
Showcase your Digital Portfolio
Use the Showcases tab on your profile page to publish a digital portfolio. Upload your thesis, publications, speeches, and other assets. Attach a manuscript, embed multimedia, or advertise your projects by adding links to external sources, such as your podcast or book. Your entries will also be displayed in the ReligionAndPublicLife.org Showcase Directory and Mobile App. And make sure to add your Showcase link to your resume so employers can view your professional portfolio.
