Category: Africa
Salahuddin Ayyubi (Saladin)
Salahuddin Ayyubi, popularly known in the West as Saladin, was a courageous and brilliant Muslim leader during the 12th century. His firm foundation in the religion and its prime values, leading to his commitment to the Islamic cause, enabled him to accomplish great things. His Ayyubid Empire united Egypt and Syria. Above all, he
African Muslim Slaves in the Americas: An Understudied Presence
For three hundred and fifty years, Muslim men, women, and children, victims of the general insecurity that the Atlantic slave trade and the politico-religious conflicts in West Africa fostered, were sold in the New World. They were among the very first Africans to be shipped, and among the very last. When they reached the other
Kairouan, Tunisia
The change of government in Tunisia recently took everyone by surprise. All eyes turned to the capital, Tunis, when Ben Ali relinquished his power and fled the country, causing a ripple effect in the region. Here, we would like to highlight another city in Tunisia – Kairouan – which has an illustrious history and
Cairo, Egypt
The world was lately riveted by the events taking place in Cairo, Egypt. The unfolding revolution in Tahrir Square transcended ethnic and religious affiliations, inspiring people worldwide with the power of change. In fact, this historic city has undergone many upheavals over the centuries and repeatedly risen above the setbacks with renewed fervor. Cairo,
Reflections on Black History Month
By Zaid Shakir Black History Month should be of interest to every Muslim, especially in America. It is estimated that upwards to 20 percent of the Africans enslaved in the Americas were Muslim. In some areas, such as the coast of the Carolinas, Georgia, and parts of Virginia, the percentages of Muslims in the slave
Prince Among Slaves
By Alex Kronemer and Michael Wolfe Prince Among Slaves is a nationally broadcast documentary, which is now a part of a major humanities outreach project. The documentary is a production of Unity Productions Foundation (UPF) in association with Spark Media and Duke Media. It tells the amazing story of an enslaved Muslim Prince from Africa
Ibn Khaldun: Father of Social Sciences
Ibn Khaldun, the father of social sciences, was an eminent figure who hailed from northern Africa; he lived from 1332 to 1406 A.D. He was born in present-day Tunisia and traveled extensively across North Africa, not to mention a stint in Granada, Spain. He died in Egypt. As a child, Ibn Khaldun received a
Timbuktu, Mali
Timbuktu has long captured popular imagination as a legendary city. The fact that it actually exists still surprises some people who have merely pictured it as a mysterious or mythical place. In reality, Timbuktu became renowned for its riches and scholarship after it was permanently settled by the Muslims. Timbuktu is located in the
Islam in Africa: Introduction
Islam’s presence in African history dates back to the first phase of the Prophet Muhammad’s mission, when in 615 A.D. he instructed a group of Muslims to seek refuge in Abyssinia (present-day Ethiopia). While this was a short-lived encounter, Muslims eventually left a lasting influence in North Africa which has since spread to western,
Africa: Historical Cities and Figures
Saulat Pervez Over the centuries, many intellectual hubs formed in Africa under Muslim rule. These included: Cairo in Egypt, Fez in Morrocco, Kairouan in Tunisia, Tlemcen in Algeria, and Timbuktu in Mali. Here, let us look at brief overviews of Cairo, Kairouan, and Timbuktu. Cairo Kairouan Timbuktu At
