Title
A Muslim American Slave: The Life of Omar Ibn Said (Wisconsin Studies in Autobiography),Used
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Born to a wealthy family in West Africa around 1770, Omar Ibn Said was abducted and sold into slavery in the United States, where he came to the attention of a prominent North Carolina family after filling the walls of his room with piteous petitions to be released, all written in the Arabic language, as one local newspaper reported. Ibn Said soon became a local celebrity, and in 1831 he was asked to write his life story, producing the only known surviving American slave narrative written in Arabic.In A Muslim American Slave, scholar and translator Ala Alryyes offers both a definitive translation and an authoritative edition of this singularly important work, lending new insights into the early history of Islam in America and exploring the multiple, shifting interpretations of Ibn Saids narrative by the nineteenthcentury missionaries, ethnographers, and intellectuals who championed it.This edition presents the English translation on pages facing facsimile pages of Ibn Saids Arabic narrative, augmented by Alryyess comprehensive introduction, contextual essays and historical commentary by leading literary critics and scholars of Islam and the African diaspora, photographs, maps, and other writings by Omar Ibn Said. The result is an invaluable addition to our understanding of writings by enslaved Americans and a timely reminder that Islam and America are not mutually exclusive terms.This edition presents the English translation on pages facing facsimile pages of Ibn Saids Arabic narrative, augmented by Alryyess comprehensive introduction and by photographs, maps, and other writings by Omar Ibn Said. The volume also includes contextual essays and historical commentary by literary critics and scholars of Islam and the African diaspora: Michael A. Gomez, Allan D. Austin, Robert J. Allison, Sylviane A. Diouf, Ghada Osman, and Camille F. Forbes. The result is an invaluable addition to our understanding of writings by enslaved Americans and a timely reminder that Islam and America are not mutually exclusive terms.Best Books for General Audiences, selected by the American Association of School Librarians
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- Q: What is the main subject of 'A Muslim American Slave'? A: The book focuses on the life of Omar Ibn Said, who was born into a wealthy family in West Africa, abducted and sold into slavery in the United States, and became known for writing his life story in Arabic.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The book is authored by Omar Ibn Said, with a translation and scholarly commentary provided by Ala Alryyes.
- Q: When was 'A Muslim American Slave' published? A: The book was published on July 20, 2011.
- Q: What format is the book available in? A: This edition is available in paperback format.
- Q: How many pages does the book have? A: The book contains 216 pages.
- Q: What unique features does this book offer? A: The book includes the English translation alongside facsimile pages of Ibn Said's Arabic narrative, comprehensive introductions, contextual essays, photographs, and maps.
- Q: Is this book suitable for general audiences? A: Yes, it has been selected as one of the Best Books for General Audiences by the American Association of School Librarians.
- Q: What themes are explored in 'A Muslim American Slave'? A: The book explores themes such as the early history of Islam in America, the interpretation of Ibn Said's narrative, and the experiences of enslaved individuals.
- Q: Who contributed to the historical commentary in the book? A: The book includes historical commentary from notable literary critics and scholars, including Michael A. Gomez, Allan D. Austin, and Sylviane A. Diouf.
- Q: What is the significance of Omar Ibn Said's narrative? A: Omar Ibn Said's narrative is significant as it is the only known surviving American slave narrative written in Arabic, providing valuable insights into the intersection of Islam and American history.