Islam in America #1534

Caption from poster__       Islam in America   Muslims have been part of American history since pre-Columbus times. Indeed, early explorers used maps that were derived from the work of Muslims, with their advanced geographical and navigational information  of the time. Some scholars estimate that 10-20 percent of the slaves brought over from Africa were Muslims. The film "Amistad"  alluded to this fact, portraying Muslims aboard this slave vessel trying to perform their prayers, while chained together on deck as they  crossed the Atlantic. Personal narratives   Omar Ibn Said (ca. 1770- 1864) was born in the Muslim state of Futa Toro in Western Africa,  in present-day Senegal. He was a Muslim scholar and trader who was captured and enslaved. He arrived in South Carolina in 1807, and was  sold to James Owen of North Carolina.  Sali-Bul Ali was a slave on a  plantation. His owner James Cooper wrote: "He is a  strict Mahometan (sic); abstains from spirituous liquors, and keeps variou