The Nation’s Mosque (of America), Masjid Muhammad, in coordination with the DC Historic Preservation Office of Planning will be leading a ceremonial funeral prayer and program for the noted enslaved African Muslim, Yarrow Mamout, who died in 1823. Yarrow was an enslaved African Muslim who won his freedom, and was able to read write and speak Arabic. He is believed to have been a member of the Fulani Tribe of West Africa when captured, and noted as being skilled in real estate, law and finance, including owning money in the Bank of Georgetown. A team of volunteers and the DC Archaeologist have been excavating the site where Mamout is believed to have lived and is buried and are presently working on the project.
What: Ceremonial program invited speakers include DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, Dr. Lonnie Bunch, Director of the National Museum of African American History, Ambassadors from Guinea, Mali, Nigeria and Senegal along with prominent Imams, scholars of African and Islamic history and Interfaith leaders
When: Friday, August 14, 2015, 4:00 PM
Where: 3324 Dent Place NW, Washington, DC
Yarrow Mamout was a formerly enslaved African Muslim who purchased property at 3324 Dent Place on February 8th, 1800, four years after earning his freedom. A prominent member of his Georgetown community, Yarrow was educated, having learned Arabic as a child; was known for his industrious, moral, and honest nature, and his prowess as a swimmer in the Potomac River. In 1819, Yarrow sat for a formal portrait by Charles Wilson Peale, who originally sought Yarrow out after hearing a rumor that he was 140 years old. Peale recorded Yarrow’s account of his life in his diary. A second portrait of Yarrow was painted in 1822 by James Alexander Simpson, which now hangs in the Peabody Room of the Georgetown Public Library. According to an obituary circulated by Peale following Yarrow’s death in January 1823, Yarrow was buried in his garden where he was known to pray.
For more information on the Yarrow Mamout Project please visit: