Where African-Americans Muslim from the Start?
Contrary to popular belief, there is a large population of Muslims in America. It is estimated that there are 6 to 8 million Muslims living in the United States today. It is said that African-Americans are the majority of the Muslim population living in the United States. Why is it that more and more African-Americans are reverting to Islam?

Could it be possible that many if not most African-Americans were Muslims when they were first brought to America? If you take a look at the history of African-Americans you will realize that many African-Americans were Muslims when they were brought to America for slavery in 1619. The Muslims that are African-American today are simply reverting back to what some of their ancestors were!

In 1607 the first ship called the Mayflower landed in America at Jamestown (there were not any Africans aboard this ship). Shortly afterwards in 1619 the first ship of Africans came to America. Blacks were here from the start. Twelve short years passed and the Africans came to this new land.

Now some may ask how did these Africans become Muslims and how did they end up in America? It all started with Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). In the 7th century he preached the religion of Islam which was monotheism. This religion spread to Africa and through the Straight of Gibraltar into Europe (Spain). This religion spread West and East and finally in the 11th and 12th centuries swept south into sub-Saharah Africa.

The Muslims dominated Africa winning many battles and wars and even creating brilliant empires. Three well-known empires were Ghana, Mali, and Songhay. These empires had brilliant Islamic leaders that implemented agricultural systems and financial organizations.

How did these African Muslims end up as slaves in America? The European, better known as the white man, needed someone to help expand the new world. They needed people who could cultivate rice, pick tobacco, and even comb through cotton. The first strategy was to use indigenous Indians, but the Indians became sick and would depart from this life.

A priest by the name of Bartholomew De Las Casas convinced the Spanish not to use Indian slave labors but to import Africans because they were strong and immune to diseases. The Africans could also handle the harsh terrain and climate which the Europeans could not withstand.

The Portuguese sent African tribes such as the Ashanti into the heart of Africa to capture other Africans for use as slaves. These slave-catching tribes traded their fellow Africans with the Portuguese for pots, pans, guns, and alcohol. Many tribes such as the Mandingo, Wolof, Yoruba, and Ebo found their way into the slave trade. Many slaves were taken from the "Slave Coast".

The slaves were forced into boats with horrendous conditions. They were taken across the Atlantic through a course called the "Middle Passage". Many slaves died on the journey. The journey took anywhere from 6-10 weeks. Many slaves were thrown overboard after they died. It is said that sharks would follow the ships to America due to the vast majority of Africans thrown overboard.

When the Africans arrived in America they were put to work. They were broken into slavery using a process known as the "slave-breaking tradition". They were given new names and were not allowed to speak their language or practice their religion. If they were caught doing either of these things they were brutally punished. Through this method Islam or religion was stolen from the Africans whose descendants are now known as the African-Americans!

Many of African-American were Muslims from the very beginning and it was slavery that destroyed and shattered their roots! Without the wickedness and immorality of slavery our fellow African-Americans may still be Muslims today.