Role of Orientalism
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Ghanea Bassiri argues that Orientalism was predominantly disadvantageous for enslaved African Muslims, as it reinforced both racial and religious biases that deepened their marginalization and exploitation. Orientalism portrayed Islam as a backward, exotic, and threatening religion, positioning enslaved Muslims not only as racially inferior Africans but also as part of a dangerous foreign culture. This double perception increased their vulnerability, as they were seen as both ethnically and religiously incompatible with European and Christian norms.
One significant disadvantage of Orientalism was how it radicalized enslaved Muslims in a unique way. While all enslaved Africans were subjected to radicalized treatment, Muslims faced an increased level of marginalization due to their Islamic identity. This identity made them appear more culturally distinct and, in the eyes of their enslavers, less assimilable into the dominant Christian society. Ghanea Bassiri points out that even though many enslaved Muslims were literate and adhered to a monotheistic faith, their refusal to abandon Islamic practices, such as daily prayer and fasting, was viewed as a form of defiance. This persistence in their faith only reinforced their portrayal as outsiders and further justified their harsh treatment.
Orientalism’s roots were not only cultural but also geopolitical and economic. European powers, such as Spain and Portugal, aimed to bypass Muslim-controlled trade routes and gain direct access to wealth from Africa and Asia. This centuries-long competition with Muslim empires, particularly the Ottoman and Mamluk Empires, increased negative perceptions of Islam that extended into the Americas. GhaneaBassiri explains that enslaved African Muslims were often viewed as remnants of these rival powers, further intensifying the justification for their enslavement. This geopolitical rivalry meant that enslaved Muslims were not just seen as labourers but as part of a broader Islamic threat, making them targets of both racial and religious prejudice.
Furthermore, even though some enslaved Muslims demonstrated literacy and intellectual depth through their knowledge of Arabic and Islamic texts, Orientalism distorted these attributes. Instead of being seen as signs of humanity or potential integration, their cultural and religious distinctions reinforced the idea that they were fundamentally different and dangerous. Ghanea Bassiri notes that this perception contributed to their isolation from both other enslaved populations and the broader society, as their education and religious practices set them apart. This cultural alienation, combined with their radicalization, increased the justification for their continued subjugation.