African Muslims in Antebellum America

by Allan D. Austin

A condensation and updating of his African Muslims in Antebellum A Sourcebook (1984), noted scholar of antebellum black writing and history Dr. Allan D. Austin explores, via portraits, documents, maps, and texts, the lives of 50 sub-Saharan non-peasant Muslim Africans caught in the slave trade between 1730 and 1860. Also includes five maps.

Genres: Islam, History, Religion, Nonfiction, Race, The United States Of America, American History

216 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Habeeb Akande · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good addition to the history Islam of antebellum American

[M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an abridged version of his 1984 book that is now out of print. Both offer an incredible insight into the lives of African Muslims who were enslaved in America.

[Roger DeBlanck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Austin recounts the incredible journeys of over a dozen African Muslim slaves in America before, during, and after the Civil War. Several qualities distinguish these slaves. Most of them, before their capture in Africa and their enslavement in the Americas, were educated or trained in their religion of Islam. Nearly all of them could read and write Arabic or other African languages. A number of them came from reputable families in Africa, and most were extremely intelligent. Many held themselves in high esteem among other slaves, and several made a lasting impression on their owners and other prominent members in society, which helped in their quest to receive support and funding to attain their freedom. Most yearned to return to their homeland of Africa, and regardless of any pledges they made of forsaking Islam for Christianity in the New World, they reverted to their devotion of Islam once they gained their freedom. Austin shows impressive command of the historical record and of all the letters, writings, and documentation available on these African Muslims. He gives voice to each of their often marginalized stories, and he offers riveting narratives that allow us to relive their extraordinary lives.