Muslims, Arabs, and Native Americans in the United States: Shared Histories and Cultural Connections

The relationship between Muslims and Arabs in the United States and Native Americans is a fascinating and often overlooked aspect of American history. These communities, though distinct in origin and culture, share experiences of migration, resistance, and cultural preservation.

While Arabs and Muslims arrived in larger waves during the 19th and 20th centuries, their roots in the Americas trace back centuries. Native Americans, as the original inhabitants of the land, encountered Arabs and Muslims through trade, intermarriage, and later political solidarity in the modern era.

Early Encounters

Pre-Columbian Theories

Some scholars and oral traditions suggest possible early contact between Muslim travelers from West Africa or Andalusia and Indigenous peoples of the Americas before Columbus’s arrival. While evidence remains debated, Islamic inscriptions and linguistic similarities found in certain Indigenous cultures hint at early interaction.

19th-Century Arab Migration

The first significant Arab migration to the US began in the late 1800s, primarily from Greater Syria (Lebanon, Palestine, and Syria). Many of these immigrants, both Muslim and Christian, encountered Native communities in rural trade networks across the Midwest and South. Peddlers and merchants often traded with Native Americans, creating small but meaningful bonds of exchange.

Shared Struggles and Solidarity

Land, Identity, and Displacement

Native Americans faced colonization, forced displacement, and cultural erasure through centuries of US expansion. Similarly, Arab and Muslim immigrants—especially Palestinians—often recognized parallels between their struggles and those of Native peoples. Both communities understand the pain of losing land, identity, and sovereignty.

Civil Rights Era and Beyond

During the Civil Rights Movement, Arab American and Muslim activists found common ground with Native American organizations. The solidarity was rooted in anti-racism, anti-imperialism, and shared resistance to stereotypes. In recent decades, Native American and Arab/Muslim groups have collaborated on campaigns for social justice, indigenous sovereignty, and Palestinian rights.

Cultural Intersections

• Spirituality and Nature: Native American traditions emphasize harmony with nature, which resonates with Islamic principles of stewardship (khalifa) of the Earth.

• Storytelling and Oral Tradition: Both communities rely heavily on storytelling to preserve history, culture, and identity.

• Cuisine and Hospitality: Food plays a central role in both cultures, often as a means of community building and cultural preservation.

Modern Connections

In contemporary America, Arab and Muslim organizations often build alliances with Native groups around issues of human rights, religious freedom, and environmental justice. For example, during the Standing Rock protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline (2016), many Arab and Muslim activists stood with Native communities, seeing parallels between oil-driven displacement and struggles in the Middle East.

Universities and cultural centers also host dialogues highlighting the connections between these groups, emphasizing shared values of resistance, survival, and cultural pride.

Conclusion

The relationship between Arabs, Muslims, and Native Americans in the United States is one of mutual respect, solidarity, and historical depth. While much remains to be studied and documented, these connections remind us that diverse communities in America can find strength in shared struggles and cultural exchange. Their intertwined narratives enrich the broader American story, highlighting resilience, identity, and unity across time.