Host
Among the millions of immigrants arriving in the United States at the turn of the 20th century were thousands of Muslims from Lebanon, then part of Greater Syria. In the inaugural episode of this series, I tell the story of two of these people, a woman named Mary Juma and her husband Hassen who homesteaded in North Dakota in the early 1900s. Traveling across the Midwest, I explore how the community that Mary and Hassen founded constructed one of the first purpose-built mosques in the country, keeping their traditions alive while creating a new identity on the American frontier.
American Muslims: A History Revealed is a series of six short documentary films that reveal and explore the early history of Muslims in America. The series is hosted by three leading American Muslim journalists: Malika Bilal, Aymann Ismail, and Asma Khalid. Over the course of the series, they travel the country to piece together stories spanning over 200 years.
As a journalist, I've encountered the question of whether Islam is compatible with America countless times. After this series, there should be no doubt - Muslims have been part of America's becoming from the very beginning.
From Slavery to Freedom: The Untold Story of America's First Muslims
Ep2 | Who was Mamadou Yarrow, and how did he make his way into this painting in his journey to freedom? (23m 19s)
Fighting for Freedom: The Little-Known Story of Muslims and the Civil War
Ep3 | The recently discovered story of Muhammad Kahn, an immigrant from Afghanistan who traveled to the United States in 1861, fought in the Union Army, and left behind a 200-page pension file documenting his experiences. (22m 24s)