Muslim Journeys: Film: Prince Among Slaves

Prince Among Slaves is a historical documentary based on Terry Alford's 1977 biography of 'Abd al-Rahman, a prince of a West African Muslim nation who was brought to Mississippi as a slave in the late 1780s. The film chronicles 'Abd al-Rahman's journey from enslavement to liberation. Against the backdrop of American slavery, 'Abd al-Rahman's quests to free his wife and children and to return to his African home provide us with significant focal points to think and talk about race and religion in America's past and present.

Learn more at princeamongslaves.org 

• How did 'Abd al-Rahmad preserve aspects of his identity after being enslaved?

• What role did Islam and Islamic education play in 'Abd al-Rahman's life in Mississippi?

• In what ways did 'Abd al-Rahman use the "system" to his advantage?

• Did 'Abd al-Rahman's royal identity and upbringing give him an advantage in Mississippi? If so, how?

• How did changes in 'Abd al-Rahman's apperance affect his identity as an individual?

• How would you characterize Foster's relationship with 'Abd al-Rahman?

• Consider the white men in 'Abd al-Rahman's life (Foster, Cox, Marschalk).  How did their own experiences affect the way they perceived and related to 'Abd al-Rahman?

• Did 'Abd al-Rahman make the right decision in leaving his children behind?

• Was 'Abd al-Rahman's story typical of the experience of Muslim slaves in the Americas, or was it exceptional? Explain. 

Check out similiar books and read more about the theme:

American Stories

In honor of African-American History Month 2013-2014, University of Redlands Armacost Library will host a film showing and facilitated discussion of Prince Among Slaves, a free program for public and university audiences.