Race And Slavery In The Middle East: An Histori... May 2026

: Until the early 20th century, slaves included both white Europeans (such as Slavs and Circassians) and black Africans.

: Lewis addresses why there are relatively few descendants of African slaves in the Middle East today compared to the Americas. He attributes this to high mortality rates, low birth rates, and the frequent castration of male slaves. Critical Reception Race and Slavery in the Middle East: An Histori...

Reviewers from the Journal of Social History and The New York Times have praised Lewis for his detailed use of primary sources, including Arabic and Persian literature, to show how prejudice often "won out over pious sentiments". However, some critics suggest the book focuses heavily on elite households and could have benefited from a deeper look at the broader assimilation of races in Islamic empires. Race and Slavery in the Middle East - Bernard Lewis : Until the early 20th century, slaves included

: Lewis argues that Westerners often idealized Islamic slavery to criticize American practices, but he presents evidence that racial prejudice—specifically against black Africans—was present in Middle Eastern society despite Islamic teachings of equality. Unique Features of Middle Eastern Slavery : Critical Reception Reviewers from the Journal of Social

: Islam restricted the methods of enslavement and encouraged the manumission (freeing) of slaves.