[Luis Gonzalez]

The first Muslim settlement in the US was built in 1790, there were Muslims accompanying the Spanish explorers of the New World since the early 1500's.

[Restorer]

If I remember correctly, the sole survivor of one of the early expeditions into the American SW was a Moor, or Muslim, named Esteban.

He guided Coronado(?) back to Cibola(?).

[Cvengr]

There may hae been some closet Muslims with the Spanish, but the Church was well represented with the Conquistadors and far from approving the spread of Islam during the exploration of the New World.

I understand the Moorish influence in Spanish culture, but the Inquisition rather forcibly opposed Islam. I wasn't aware of any Islamic influence in the exploration of the New World. Are you aware of any particular examples?