The Life of Omar Ibn Said is an autobiography written by Senegalese scholar, Omar ibn Said, who documented his life living under slavery in this book. The book was written in 1831 and written in Arabic. It was sold to the Library of Congress in 2017 and made available for public viewing online.
The autobiography details Said’s life as a slave under the American slave trade in 1807. Said was captured by the Christian American slave owner, Johnson, who treated him brutally. Said was then taken in by another Master, Jim Owen, who was surprised at his intellect and ability to read. Owen and Said engaged in theological debates throughout the duration of his servitude and Said came to consider him a friend and good man. Eventually, he inspired Said to convert from Islam to Christianity.
Library Journal described the book as "A rich exploration into the history of Islam and slavery in America." The Wall Street Journal commented that “The reader gleans a sense not only of Omar Ibn Said but also of the historical forces that shaped him."
