Sylviane Diouf Quotes (5 Quotes)

From the year 1000, there were West Africans going on the pilgrimage to Mecca, and many other Muslims from other areas of the world coming into Africa and places like Timbuktu. West Africa became a part of the global network of Islam.

If you research the topic, you will find that many remained Muslim, although some were forced to convert, especially in Catholic nations.

Five hundred years before the slave trade started there had been Muslims in Africa for at least 20 generations.

It's been a topic that has really been overlooked. I've been working on the slave trade for decades and I've never seen anything on Muslim slaves.

One thing that has not been associated with Islam, but is connected, is the blues. The music of the Muslims of West Africa can be directly linked to the blues in notes, tones and blending of style.