Exhibit One

Early Islam in America

The roots of Muslim presence before modern institutions.

The Beginning of the Story

Islam in America did not begin with modern mosques or national organizations. Its roots reach back to enslaved African Muslims who were brought to America and struggled to preserve pieces of their faith, language, literacy, and identity under extremely difficult conditions.

Early Muslim Presence

Muslims arrived in America through forced migration, especially through the transatlantic slave trade.

Faith Under Pressure

Many Muslims faced pressure to abandon their religious practices, names, languages, and identities.

A Hidden Legacy

Their story shows that Islam has been part of American history for centuries, even when it was ignored.