California Imam claims Columbus saw a mosque in the Americas

Amir Abdel Malik Ali, the CEO and imam of Masjid Al-Islam in Oakland, California, has drawn scrutiny following claims that Islam existed in the Americas before Christianity. During a sermon, Ali asserted that Christopher Columbus observed a mosque upon his arrival in the region.

Historical records indicate that Ali’s interpretation of Columbus’s journal is inaccurate. An abstract of an entry from October 29 describes a mountain in Cuba as resembling a “graceful mosque,” a geographical comparison rather than a reference to an actual Islamic house of worship. Ali further stated that the Quran and Sunnah would “save America.”

Ali has a history of controversial statements, including past remarks that appeared to justify Palestinian suicide bombers and praise for Hamas leaders.