Muslims Through American History and Culture Before 21st Century: A Review

Abstract

This paper presents a brief chronological review of American cultural representations of Muslims through major historical events. Situating the development of these cultural works within their historical milieus elucidates their evolution and development. We begin with the influential role played by the British and French Orientalist traditions on American first perceptions of Islam and Muslims, American Barbarian Wars, the Greek revolt against Ottoman rule to the missionaries and tourists to the Holy Lands. Nevertheless, the post WWII era seems to have the most accelerated growth in American perception of Islam and Muslims where more geopolitical and economic interests emerged. These historical landmarks will form the structure of the article which reviews how American historical and cultural means have molded images of Islam and Muslims across time and space. Images of Muslims seem to be overshadowed by American religious, economic and political interests. Inherited Orientalist traditions were reinforced through these interest-based representations.