Muslim Presence in Pre-Columbian Americas: Evidence and Historical Insights
There is a growing body of research and historical references supporting the theory that Muslims may have reached the Americas long before Christopher Columbus. These evidences, drawn from geography, linguistics, archaeology, and historical texts, highlight the cultural and civilizational impact Muslims might have had on the continent. This article organizes these findings to better understand the influence of Islamic culture in the Americas.
### **King Abu Bakr II and the Mali Empire**
One of the earliest mentions of possible Muslim exploration of the Americas comes from the Mali Empire, specifically its king, Abu Bakr II. According to historian Shahabuddin al-Umari in his book *Masalik al-Absar fi Mamalik al-Insar* (Cairo, Egypt), Abu Bakr II, in 1312 CE, embarked on a maritime expedition across the Atlantic Ocean. Al-Umari states that the king sent over 2,000 ships on this mission, aimed at discovering new territories and establishing international connections.
Renowned scholar and researcher Youssef Mroueh, in his book *Pre-Columbian Muslims in the Americas*, presents this account as a significant piece of evidence supporting the theory that Muslims may have reached the Americas prior to Columbus.
### **Archaeological Evidence**
Archaeological findings in South America, particularly in Brazil, Mexico, and New Mexico, provide further support for the idea that Muslims might have traveled to the Americas. Researchers have discovered Islamic-style coins, building remnants resembling mosques, and rocks inscribed with Arabic script.
Dr. Barry Fell, an internationally recognized linguist and archaeologist, details these discoveries in his book *Islamic Artifacts in Pre-Columbian America*. Notably, in Bahia, Brazil, Arabic-script inscriptions on rocks offer evidence of African and Islamic connections. In New Mexico, archaeologists have found stones bearing inscriptions in Arabic, including the name of Allah and other Arabic phrases, further suggesting Muslim presence in the region.
In Mexico, the Olmec civilization’s archaeological remnants also reflect African and Islamic cultural influences. These findings suggest that not only did Muslims arrive in the Americas, but their arts and knowledge left lasting marks on the local cultures.
### **Christopher Columbus’ Written Acknowledgments**
Christopher Columbus, the renowned explorer who reached the Americas in 1492, also made references to Islamic and African cultural influences in his diary, *The Log of Christopher Columbus*, which is preserved in the Royal Archives of Spain. In his entries, Columbus mentions encountering coins with African-style engravings and noting that some of the local Caribbean inhabitants wore clothing and jewelry resembling Eastern designs.
Moreover, Columbus records seeing maritime fleets from West Africa, which had established trade relations with the local tribes. This aligns with the findings of Dr. Barry Fell and Ivan Van Sertima, the Guyanese-American anthropologist and historian, in his influential book *They Came Before Columbus*.
### **Linguistic Evidence**
Research on the languages of indigenous American tribes has uncovered words like “Allah,” “Salaam,” and “Miskin” in their vocabularies, suggesting linguistic ties to Islamic culture. Ivan Van Sertima and Dr. Ali al-Amin Mazuri have highlighted these linguistic similarities as possible indicators of Muslim presence.
Additionally, the languages of tribes in Haiti and Cuba show signs of African and Arabic influences, with words and phrases from these cultures integrated into the daily language of the indigenous peoples. Dr. Ali al-Amin Mazuri’s work, particularly his book *The Africans: A Triple Heritage*, underscores the role of Islamic and African cultures in shaping the Americas prior to Columbus’ arrival.
### **The Scholarly and Scientific Contributions of Muhammad al-Idrisi**
Muhammad al-Idrisi, a prominent Muslim geographer, cartographer, and scholar, made significant contributions to the mapping of the world in the 12th century. His famous map, *Tabula Rogeriana* (1154 CE), created under the commission of King Roger II of Sicily, depicted the “unknown” lands, which could include the Americas. This further substantiates the possibility that Muslims had knowledge of the Americas before the European voyages of discovery.
### **Civilizational Impacts**
The influence of Islamic civilization on the Americas can be seen in various fields such as agriculture, astronomy, and medicine. In Mexico and Cuba, agricultural practices bearing Islamic techniques, including irrigation systems and the cultivation of crops like date palms and sugarcane, provide evidence of Islamic influence. These methods were common in the Arab world and were adapted in the Americas, signifying the spread of Muslim knowledge.
The study of stars by indigenous American tribes shows parallels to Islamic astronomy, further linking these civilizations. The irrigation systems and agricultural practices in rural American villages also resemble those used in the Islamic world, illustrating the transfer of Muslim expertise in these fields.
### **Conclusion**
The evidence presented—ranging from historical texts, archaeological discoveries, linguistic parallels, and cultural practices—strongly supports the theory that Muslims may have reached the Americas before Columbus. These findings underscore the significant role Islamic civilization played in shaping the global cultural and scientific landscape, including the Americas. The remnants of Islamic culture in pre-Columbian America not only highlight a fascinating chapter in history but also emphasize the shared heritage of humanity across continents and civilizations.