In the heart of Manhattan’s Financial District lies a fascinating history that began with the first free Muslim settler, Anthony Jansen Van Salee, who arrived in 1633.
Once a privateer’s son who converted to Islam after being captured by Barbary pirates, Van Salee became a renowned troublemaker in New Amsterdam despite being one of its largest landowners.
He found notoriety for paying wages with a dead goat and was ultimately banished to Brooklyn for various misdeeds.
His story, along with the vibrant history of its ethnic enclaves, is one of the captivating narratives that historian Asad Dandia, who leads the walking tour company New York Narratives, shares with participants.
Dandia, a Southern Brooklyn native and activist, has also gained recognition for successfully suing the NYPD for surveillance targeting Muslim communities.
Leading a recent tour for Columbia and Barnard students, he explored the now-defunct neighborhood known as Little Syria, which thrived between 1880 and 1940 before its destruction to make way for the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel.
The tour offers a glimpse into the rich fabric of New York’s immigrant history, connecting it to the narrative of displaced communities and cultural contributions.
“Though he was a Muslim, he was not particularly pious. In fact, he was a major troublemaker,” Dandia told the students while drawing attention to Van Salee’s long list of offenses.
These included stealing wood, threatening neighbors, and a scandal involving his wife accusing a religious leader’s spouse of misconduct.
“In a colonial society of just 1,500 residents, these accusations were scandalous enough to lead to their trial,” Dandia explained, recounting how Van Salee was ultimately banished to Brooklyn.
Settling in Coney Island, he amassed 200 acres of land, reinforcing his place in New York history as the first Muslim property owner.
Dandia also draws parallels between Van Salee and Zohran Mamdani, a current political figure with a cosmopolitan background.
Mamdani, an influential socialist Assemblymember and candidate for New York City’s first Muslim mayor, shares a rich family history, his parents being prominent filmmaker Mira Nair and scholar Mahmood Mamdani.
“Both Anthony and Zohran symbolize the cosmopolitan nature of New York, representing its immigrant roots and diverse backgrounds,” Dandia noted in a phone interview.
The tour begins by situating students in the historical context of New Amsterdam, established after the Dutch seized land from the Lenape tribes in 1624.
Dandia points out a site on the map where a wall once served to protect settlers from Indigenous peoples and British competitors, a stark contrast to today’s Wall Street.
He guides tour-goers past key landmarks like Fraunces Tavern, where George Washington plotted aspects of the American Revolution, and the remnants of Bowling Green, which once encapsulated Little Syria.
The tale of Little Syria is entwined with the influx of Arab immigrants in the late 19th century, who came to the U.S. after facing religious and ethnic tensions in their homeland.
Dandia sheds light on the roots of Little Syria, where many worked as merchants, sharing space with Irish, German, and Eastern European immigrants.
This neighborhood specialized in textiles and culinary goods, led by immigrants such as Abraham Sahadi, who founded the eponymous grocery store that still thrives today.
Najeeb Arbeely, another pioneer, started the Star of America, the first Arabic language newspaper in the U.S.
Yet, challenges persisted; while some found success in entrepreneurship, many residents lived in substandard conditions, often lacking heating in their tenements.
Dandia paints a poignant picture of daily life in Little Syria, where women layered clothing for warmth rather than religious purposes.
Despite their resilience, the neighborhood faced eradication in 1942, with residents receiving minimal notice before eviction to accommodate urban development projects.
As a result, the displaced Arab community migrated to Atlantic Avenue, which now serves as a vital hub for Arab commerce in New York City.
“The R line is essential to this community’s connection, transporting many from the remnants of Little Syria to their new homes,” Dandia explained to the students on the tour.
Additionally, Dandia draws a connection between the importance of remembering the past and present issues confronted by communities.
He recalls how George Washington once called for the removal of a statue of King George III, likening it to ongoing movements to dismantle monuments to figures who represent oppressive legacies.
“Removing statues can be seen as a necessary act of reevaluation of our ideals and history,” he argued, prompting students to consider the implications of their own heritage and landmarks.
Dandia’s walking tours not only illuminate the past but foster discussions about the modern implications of history for the diverse communities that comprise New York City today.
image source from：https://www.thecity.nyc/2025/05/27/anthony-jansen-van-salee-asad-dandia-little-syria/?utm_source=newsshowcase&utm_medium=gnews&utm_campaign=CDAqEAgAKgcICjC19MELMNeP2QMw4NPgAw&utm_content=rundown
