RAMADAN’S HISTORY IN U.S. IS INTERTWINED WITH SLAVERY
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, one of the most sacred times for Muslims. It’s the month during which the Prophet Muhammad — peace be upon him — received the initial revelations of the holy book that gives Muslims guidance on how to live a good life: the Quran. Throughout this month, Muslims aim to reconnect with their faith, family and community through the communal aspects of Ramadan.
Prescribed in the Quran, fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam. Fasting involves abstaining from all food and drink from dawn to sunset. Muslims all around the world fast for different duration of hours depending on their geographical locations. Muslims customarily eat a light meal before dawn, known as “suhoor,” and a breaking of the fast at sunset known as “iftar.”
Fasting facilitates the attainment of spiritual purity through prayer and a greater sense of mindfulness regarding one’s actions, behavior and speech. Alongside the many health benefits, fasting also enhances our compassion for the less fortunate by feeding and aiding the poor.
Fasting is required of all Muslims who have reached the age of puberty, and who are physically and mentally able to do so. Exemptions from fasting include those with chronic medical conditions whose health may be at risk, pregnant or nursing mothers, menstruating women, or those traveling.
The history of Ramadan in the United States is linked to the historical roots of Islam in this country. Historians confirm that Estevanico of Azamor, also known as Esteban, who accompanied the Spanish as a guide, was the first Muslim from Northern Africa (Azamor, Morocco) when he landed in Florida in 1527. He became the first Muslim to set foot in what became the continental United States. Moreover, a large percentage of the enslaved Africans who were forcibly uprooted during the colonial settlements of North America were Muslims. Social scientists estimate that as many as 30 percent of the enslaved Africans were Muslims from West and Central African countries. Upon their arrival in North America, maintaining their Islamic faith was strenuous, as they were forced to abandon their religious practices. They were forced to take religious customs that were brutally imposed. Many lost their faith and converted to Christianity. Despite such efforts, many enslaved African Muslims kept aspects of their cultural and religious roots, most notably fasting during Ramadan and praying, to name a few.
Escaped enslaved man Charles Ball, in his autobiography written in 1837, revealed the story of an enslaved Muslim who observed the five daily prayers. He also mentioned the several Muslims he knew, referring to them as “Mohamedans” or the followers of the religion of Prophet Muhammad — peace be upon him — Islam.
Salah Bilali, an enslaved African Muslim born in 1770 in Massina, known now as Mali, was enslaved at only 12 years of age. He was known as well-educated, and a religious and committed Muslim. Despite the many challenges, Bilali managed to read the Quran, pray the daily prayers and observe the holy month of Ramadan. Another enslaved African who was recorded as a faithful and dedicated Muslim who fasted the month of Ramadan was Omar Ibn Said. Ramadan was observed by enslaved African American Muslims, confirming that Islam is far from being foreign in this nation and continent. Over time, records were lost, but these are the few amongst so many enslaved people who practiced Islam in secret.
Today, Ramadan is observed in the United States by 3.45 million Muslims, the second most racially and ethnically diverse religious group in the nation.
Ramadan mubarak, San Diego!
As many as 30 percent of the enslaved Africans were Muslims from West and Central African countries. Upon their arrival in North America, they faced many obstacles in maintaining their Islamic faith.
Allali is a leadership coach and a member of The San Diego Union-Tribune’s Community Advisory Board. She lives in Clairemont.