Servants of Allah: African Muslims Enslaved in the Americas

Servants of Allah examines the lives and experiences of African Muslims who were enslaved and transported to the Americas during the Atlantic slave trade. The book focuses on how these individuals maintained their religious practices, literacy, and cultural traditions despite the brutal conditions of slavery. Drawing on primary sources and historical records from West Africa, the Americas, and Europe, historian Sylviane Diouf traces the journeys of Muslim Africans from their homeland to various regions in North America, South America, and the Caribbean. The research reveals the ways these enslaved Muslims preserved their Islamic faith through prayer, dietary practices, naming conventions, and the continued use of Arabic. The text reconstructs the social networks and resistance strategies developed by enslaved Muslims, including their roles in slave revolts and their efforts to maintain communication across plantations. Their ability to read and write Arabic, along with their mercantile backgrounds and educational training, set them apart within slave communities. This work challenges conventional narratives about enslaved Africans by highlighting the presence and influence of Muslims in the Americas, while exploring themes of religious identity, cultural preservation, and resistance under oppression.

Readers value the book's detailed documentation of Muslim slaves' religious practices, literacy, and resistance in the Americas. Many note it fills a gap in slavery scholarship by focusing on the specific experiences of Muslim captives. Positive reviews highlight: - Original research using primary sources - Documentation of Muslims maintaining Islamic practices despite slavery - Exploration of Arabic literacy among enslaved people - Clear writing style Common criticisms: - Academic tone can be dry - Some repetition between chapters - Limited coverage of certain geographic regions - Occasional speculation without clear evidence Ratings: Goodreads: 4.26/5 (276 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (144 ratings) Sample review: "This book opened my eyes to a completely overlooked aspect of American slavery. The evidence of Arabic writings and Muslim practices surviving through generations is fascinating." - Goodreads reviewer Critics note: "Could have included more about Muslim slaves in the Caribbean region." - Amazon reviewer

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📚 Many enslaved African Muslims maintained literacy in Arabic throughout their captivity, keeping journals and writing letters that have survived to present day. This enabled them to preserve their religious practices and cultural identity. 🕌 The first mosque in Brazil was likely established by enslaved Muslims in 1832 in Salvador, Bahia, demonstrating their ability to maintain religious institutions despite oppression. ✍️ Author Sylviane Diouf is a award-winning historian at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, specializing in the African Diaspora, slavery, and contemporary African immigration. 🎭 Some enslaved Muslims strategically used their religious practices, such as fasting during Ramadan, as a form of resistance against their enslavers, who often interpreted these acts as signs of defiance. 🗺️ Many enslaved Muslims came from highly educated backgrounds in West Africa, including scholars, teachers, and political leaders. Some even wrote autobiographies in Arabic detailing their experiences, providing rare first-hand accounts of the slave trade.