Muslims Banned from the Americas: A History of Discrimination
Early Fears and Restrictions
In the 16th century, Spain and England harbored fears that enslaved Africans with Muslim beliefs were more likely to rebel. This led to Spain’s exclusion of “slaves suspected of Islamic leanings” from the Americas after the Hispaniola slave revolt of 1522.
Despite this ban, Jewish and Muslim immigrants found ways to enter the New World, often through bribes or forged papers. Slave traders also often ignored the order, as Muslim slaves were often more literate and skilled, making them more valuable.
Cartagena and the English Capture
Cartagena, a strategic port in present-day Colombia, had a significant Muslim slave population, many of whom were illegally transported. In 1586, English privateer Sir Francis Drake captured Cartagena and instructed his men to treat Muslims with respect. Many Muslims deserted to Drake’s fleet, hoping for freedom.
Roanoke Island and the Lost Colonists
Drake intended to bolster the English settlement at Roanoke Island with the slaves he captured in Cartagena. However, a hurricane scattered Drake’s fleet, and the colonists abandoned Roanoke. The fate of the Muslim slaves remains unknown.
Jamestown and Christian Baptism
The Jamestown settlement followed a similar policy to Spain, requiring Christian baptism for entry into the country, including enslaved Africans. In 1682, Virginia went further, automatically deeming non-Christian Africans as slaves.
Slave Insurrections and the True Threat
Despite efforts to suppress “Islamic leanings,” slave insurrections continued in both Spanish and British America. The Haitian slave revolt was instigated by Christianized Africans, while Nat Turner’s rebellion in Virginia was fueled by visions of Christ.
The true threat to peace and security, however, lay not in the faith of the immigrants but in the system of slavery itself and the Christianity that justified it. The injustice and dehumanization faced by enslaved people, regardless of their religion, was the root cause of unrest.
Additional Long-tail Keyword Coverage:
- Ottoman and North African captives: These slaves were often used as rowers or for menial tasks in the Caribbean and Spanish colonies.
- Virginia Dare: The first English child born in America was abandoned at Roanoke Island along with the other refugees.
- Lost Colonists: The second wave of English settlers to Roanoke made no mention of meeting the Cartagena captives, suggesting that they may have scattered among the Native American population.
- Escaped slaves in Panama: These slaves established their own communities and fought a guerilla war against Spain.