A Hidden History of Muslims in the United States

How Have Muslims Shaped American History from Before the Nation’s Founding to the Late 20th Century?

Although popular media and political discourse frequently frame Islam as incompatible with American values, Muslims have been present in what is now the United States since before the nation’s founding.

This talk covers the history of Muslims in the United States from 1528 to 1979. The primary focus is on Muslim communities, but most of the events that we cover are of broader significance to American history, including the Transatlantic Slave Trade, the Great Migration, the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act, and the Iran hostage crisis. This talk also emphasizes the internal diversity of Muslim American communities across time, highlighting variations in theology as well as racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. Lastly, we cover shifting perspectives of Islam and Muslims by non-Muslims in the United States. By situating Muslim histories within broader historical contexts, this presentation challenges monolithic portrayals and underscores the longstanding presence of Islam in America.

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