The Islamic Arab Slave Trade of Black People: A Historical Analysis of Captivity, Commerce, and Consequences
This paper explores the extensive and often overlooked history of the Islamic slave trade, which operated from the 8th to the 19th centuries. It investigates the magnitude and duration of the trans-Saharan and Indian Ocean slave routes, which facilitated the coerced migration of millions of Africans. The paper aims to provide an account of the scale of this trade and its profound impacts on the societies involved. Further, it investigates the distinct anti-black African sentiment that characterized the Islamic Arab slave trade, including the forced labor, sexual exploitation of enslaved women, and the brutal practice of castrating enslaved men. Furthermore, the paper highlights the continuing effects of this historical atrocity, particularly in the present-day treatment of African-origin migrant workers in the Arab world. By advocating for reparations and compensation, the paper calls on African governments, international organizations, and advocacy groups to confront this historical injustice with the same urgency directed towards the Trans-Atlantic Slave trade. It urges collective recognition, restitution, and a commitment to justice to transcend the legacies of the Islamic slave trade and pave the way for a more equitable future.or a more equitable future.
Jun 2, 2024