“Far Beyond the Western Sea of the Arabs...”: Reinterpreting Claims about Pre-Columbian Muslims in the Americas
Richard V. Francaviglia
http://www.maneyonline.com/doi/abs/10.1179/0082288414Z.00000000033?journalCode=tin
I don’t know if you or the others know the story of the muslim in America during the 18th Century, so here goes:
Once upon a time, there was a man who worshiped in a strange fashion. He traded with the tribes in his area. They didn’t much like him, but that didn’t deter him.
One day this man who worshiped in a strange fashion saw a beautiful Indian princess and desired her as his own.
The Indian princess did not much like the man, and rejected his advances. But, the man persisted, claiming it was his right.
The tribe really did not like his idea and liked the man even less.
It was night when the man stole into the princess’ tent and tried to have his way with her. She would have none of it and soundly thrashed the man. The ruckus awoke the rest of the tribe.
On seeing and hearing what had transpired, the immediately seized him, tied him to a stake and burned him alive.
Afterward, everyone went back to sleep. In the following days no one ever saw anyone who worshiped in a strange fashion ever again.
So began and ended the history of muslims in pre-colonial America.