NPR

Religious Walking Tour Maps Out The History Of Muslims In New York City

As she leads free walking tours through Harlem, Katie Merriman highlights the ways in which the history of Muslims is part of the history of New York City.
Tour participants listen to guide Katie Merriman (center) outside the Malcolm Shabaaz Mosque as she speaks about the influence of Malcolm X on the Harlem community.

Visitors often get to know Harlem, N.Y., through its many walking tours – from gospel music to architecture to food. But on a recent Sunday morning, two dozen people join their guide to learn about something else in the neighborhood: the history of Muslims.

Since 2014, Katie Merriman has held free walking tours about once a month to remember centuries of Muslim history in New York City. She grew up in

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