Collections & Stories of American Muslims Inc. (CSAM) was created in 1996 as a non-profit organization to establish an Islamic museum, traveling exhibition, and archives in the United States about the history of Muslims in America. Over the years we have developed an exhibition that reflects America’s Islamic history and culture dating back to 1600’s and 1900’s and more…
The Exhibit brings to life America’s Islamic heritage with some eye opening photographs and documents. For example, a picture of Chicken George, the grandson of Kunta Kinte, dressed in Islamic style clothing and towns with Islamic names.
Throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s, we have seen large growth in the Muslim communities in America. Today there are many Muslims across the country that are holding elected offices as local City Council members, State representatives, Mayors, and Judges. We find Muslims in every profession today as Doctors, Lawyers, Teachers, Police officers and others.
Today Islam is the fastest growing Religion in America and has now become the second largest religion in the United States.
The History of Muslims in America
Early History
History is a narrative of events and stories and a chronological record of those events. We as Muslim Americans have a long and insightful history with many contributions to the American society in which both the public and many Muslim Americans are not aware.
1700's: Personalities, Events & Early Settlements of the 1700s
The 1700s ushered in the first known Hafiz or Muslim scholar in the person of Ayub ‘Job’ Suleiman Dgiallo who was born in Bondu, in Futa Toro, to a Fulbe family of Muslims.
1800's:
In 1807 on April 13, Yarrow (Mamout) Marmood was given his freedom by Upton Beall of Montgomery County in the Washington, DC area. He established a hauling business, owned real estate on what is now 3330-3332 Dent Place NW, and invested some of his savings into the stock of the Bank of Columbia.
1900's:
Wills were founded in Washington, DC Archives from 1900-1917 beginning with Islamic salutations “With the Name of God Amen” with names like Hannah Henderson, Fontaine Mahmood, James Moore, Mary Newman, Edward Quader, and Anne Yarrow.
