Islamic Nations, Not Christian Ones, Should Pay Reparations for Islamic Slavery
By Bobby Darvish | darvishintelligence.blogspot.com
As an Iranian-American ex-Muslim Christian conservative, I have a unique perspective on the intersection of history, religion, and reparations. Recently, discussions about reparations have largely focused on the transatlantic slave trade, where Western Christian nations like the United States are often at the center of the debate. While slavery in the Americas was a tragic and reprehensible chapter in history, the focus has disproportionately targeted Christian nations, neglecting the far-reaching impact of Islamic slavery.
It’s time to correct this narrative: Islamic nations should be held accountable for their role in enslaving both Black Africans and Europeans, and they should be paying reparations to the descendants of these victims, as well as to affected communities globally.
The Islamic Slave Trade: A Long and Brutal History
Many people are unaware of the extent to which Islamic empires and societies participated in and benefited from the slave trade. The Arab slave trade, often referred to as the trans-Saharan or Indian Ocean slave trade, lasted over 1,300 years—far longer than the transatlantic slave trade. It began in the 7th century and continued well into the 20th century. During this time, millions of Africans were taken from their homes and subjected to forced labor, sexual exploitation, and brutal treatment. Unlike in the West, where most slaves were used for agriculture or domestic labor, many African slaves in the Islamic world were castrated and forced into military service or served as concubines in harems .
Some estimates suggest that between 12 and 17 million Africans were enslaved by Muslim traders across the Middle East, North Africa, and even into parts of India and Southeast Asia . This is comparable to the approximately 12 million Africans enslaved during the transatlantic slave trade, yet the Islamic slave trade remains significantly less acknowledged.
Moreover, Islamic slave traders also captured white Europeans during the Barbary slave trade. Between the 16th and 19th centuries, Muslim pirates from North Africa enslaved up to 1.25 million Europeans from coastal towns in Italy, Spain, and even as far north as Iceland. These captives were sold across the Islamic world, from Morocco to the Ottoman Empire, where they were forced into labor or sexual servitude .
Islamic Slavery’s Lasting Impact
The legacy of Islamic slavery continues to impact societies across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. In African nations like Sudan and Mauritania, slavery persisted into the 20th century and, in some cases, continues covertly today. Mauritania, for example, only officially abolished slavery in 1981, making it one of the last nations to do so, and even today, reports suggest that as many as 100,000 people remain enslaved .
The racial hierarchy and divisions imposed by Islamic slavery also persist in many Middle Eastern and African countries. The descendants of African slaves, known as the haratin, still face discrimination in countries like Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, where they remain socially and economically marginalized .
Despite this, Islamic nations have largely avoided accountability for their role in the slave trade. The conversation around reparations is almost exclusively centered on the West, ignoring the broader historical context. This is not to diminish the atrocities committed by European powers, but it is to say that Islamic nations must also take responsibility for the millions of lives shattered by their involvement in the slave trade.
Why Reparations Should Come From Islamic Nations
If we are to take seriously the idea of reparations as a form of justice, then we cannot simply focus on Western nations. Islamic empires—particularly the Arab, Ottoman, and Barbary powers—enslaved millions of people across the world for over a millennium. It is therefore incumbent upon modern Islamic nations, many of which still exist in the same regions where slavery flourished, to compensate the descendants of both African and European victims of Islamic slavery.
Countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates are incredibly wealthy, owing much of their wealth to oil revenues, but historically, they were also deeply involved in the slave trade. These nations should be at the forefront of the reparations conversation. Saudi Arabia, for instance, did not officially abolish slavery until 1962, and its long history of importing slaves from Africa and other regions is well-documented . Wealthy Gulf states could easily afford to pay reparations to the descendants of those enslaved by Islamic regimes. Furthermore, Islamic leaders often justify reparations within the framework of zakat, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which mandates charitable giving to those in need. If Islamic nations wish to adhere to the principles of justice and charity, as espoused in their religious texts, then reparations for slavery should be seen as an extension of that obligation.
Conclusion: A Call for Global Accountability
As an ex-Muslim who has seen both sides of these historical narratives, I believe it's time for global accountability. If we are truly committed to justice, then reparations must be a global conversation. Islamic nations cannot be allowed to evade responsibility for their historical crimes while the West is unfairly vilified for its part. Both Christian and Islamic nations played roles in the tragic history of slavery, but the Islamic world’s involvement in the slave trade lasted longer and affected both Black Africans and Europeans.
It’s time for Islamic nations to acknowledge their past, make amends, and pay reparations to those who continue to live with the consequences of Islamic slavery. As a Christian, I believe in forgiveness, but I also believe in justice. True healing for the victims and their descendants can only come through global recognition and compensation for the crimes of the past.
Sources:
- Islam and Slavery: A Historical Perspective. Journal of African History, 2020.
- Clarence-Smith, William G. Islam and the Abolition of Slavery, Oxford University Press, 2006.
- Lewis, Bernard. Race and Slavery in the Middle East: An Historical Enquiry, Oxford University Press, 1994.
- Kaba, Lansiné. The Trans-Saharan Slave Trade, University of Wisconsin Press, 2015.
- Bethell, Leslie. The Abolition of the Brazilian Slave Trade, Cambridge University Press, 1970.
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