A History of Islam in America: From the New World to the New World Order

In the dazzling dawn of the 1500s, as European explorers and colonists dropped anchor on the uncharted shores of the New World, resolute Muslim traders, scholars, and soon-to-be enslaved Africans began weaving their rich traditions into America’s evolving tapestry. Across colonial and antebellum towns like Jamestown and Savannah, enslaved communities carried treasured Quranic verses alongside cotton baskets, planting early seeds of Religious Freedom and Racial Justice long before the Atlantic slave trade darkened the horizon. Kambiz GhaneaBassiri traces five centuries of dynamic migration and heartfelt conversion—from devout GIs praying in muddy foxholes during World War II to courageous activists joining civil rights marches—revealing how each determined step reshaped the nation’s spiritual landscape. In vibrant enclaves sprouting mosques in industrial towns and coastal cities, generations balanced integration with identity, confronting xenophobia and championing Immigrant Rights. This panoramic, thought-provoking narrative dismantles the politicized divide between Islam and the West, showing that Muslim voices have long stood at the crossroads of American democracy and pluralism. Tap the Save to List button to bookmark this title, or tap the External Link button to view purchase and rental options.