February 18, 2010 by Hannah Birch
Movie demonstrates connections between Islam and America
The Muslim Students’ Association at UNLV asserts that Islam had more of an influence on our country’s history than many think, and on Friday, Feb. 19, they will show you why.
“Prince Among Slaves” is an award-winning documentary about a Muslim African prince that was enslaved in the American South. The film will be shown at the Student Union Room 208 at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free.
The documentary shows a connection between Islam and African Americans with which many aren’t familiar and demonstrates the influence both cultures have had on America’s history.
“It’s like a history of slaves and Islam in a way,” said MSA President Amin Nash. “It’s also the creation of Islam in America. This man had nine kids that were born in America… there could be Muslim blood in almost all of us.”
Although many African American slaves that were originally brought from Africa were Muslim, Nash said few people are aware of this trend.
“Especially after September 11 and the World Trade Center, they started placing these stereotypes on Islam,” he said. “We want to shed a positive light on these people.”
The film will be followed by a discussion with Fateen Seifullah, the prominent religious leader (Imam) of Masjid As-Sabur and Naeem Shalf Jr., the founder of the ILM Foundation.
“We hope it will lead [students] to a newfound knowledge about the history of African Americans and Muslims,” Nash said. “If people have questions, we want to answer them.”
Having been recognized as the best documentary for 2007 by the Black Film Festival, “Prince Among Slaves” illustrates how a man survives harrowing ordeals in the name of family and faith.
The documentary is a true story and follows the character Abdul-Rahman Ibrahima Sori, a Muslim prince from Africa. The 26-year-old slave surprised the farmer that bought him at an auction in the United States by saying that he was the son of an African king who would pay gold for his son’s ransom.
But Abdul-Rahman did not reclaim his freedom until 40 years had passed. He defied the order to return to Africa immediately and instead traveled across the country in a partially successful endeavor to raise funds to free his seven children.
At the age of 67, Abdul-Rahman had freed two of his children before he attempted to return to Africa. He fell ill and died just as word of his return reached his homeland in present-day Guinea, but he remains one of the most well-researched African American slaves to date.
“It’s inspirational, in a way,” said MSA member Fatima Khan. “Hopefully, it will open eyes to the presence of Islam in our country. Especially after 9/11, a lot of people think we’re new to this country. We’ve actually been here a long time… We’re embedded in American history.”
MSA is also embedded in the UNLV community as an organization that promotes a social and faith-based lifestyle.
“We want to have a Muslim and Islamic presence at UNLV. We’re all about promoting peace and collaboration,” Khan said. “There are five different mosques in town… Wherever they need us, we can be there.”
“We’re one huge community,” Nash said, who wished to extend thanks to the MSA members and advisers that made this event and others like it possible.
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