The opera "Omar," on a Muslim slave in America

CBS Sunday Morning
CBS Sunday Morning
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Published 2022-08-14
"Omar," an opera that recently had its world premiere, tells the story of Omar Ibn Said, a 19th century Muslim scholar stolen from Senegal and sold into slavery in America, who left behind a remarkable autobiography written in Arabic. Correspondent Martha Teichner talks with Rhiannon Giddens and Michael Abels about how their opera tells a largely-forgotten story, informing the history of our multicultural nation.
#omar #opera #islam

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All Comments (21)
  • @emanueldavis7156
    Omar Ibn Said is an important figure in North Carolina History. I learned about him when I was in middle school. I am glad to his unique story being shared others in such an artistic way.
  • @fannygarcia3699
    I just bought a ticket to my first opera because of this coverage of Omar." I look forward to seeing it in Los Angeles in October. Thank you for sharing this story.
  • @AllieSheffield
    O’Lordy, it gave me shivers to listen to this story, how beautiful, thank you for sharing this it’s magnificent.
  • @rasheeda1303
    Being that Bro Omar started his autobiography with in the name Allah the merciful he hid nothing.
  • @SandyWolf-
    Tell your stories or they will fade to dust! Love it👍✌
  • @ravenscry048
    Thank you for doing this story. I had never heard of Omar before. His autobiography is amazing. It is TIME for us- the USA to really know about his life.
  • @williamgregory1848
    I’m actually crying right now 😢 When we think of well-known slaves, we think of Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass. But there are so many other slaves who came from different parts of Africa and had lives and stories that unfortunately, we will never know.
  • @josephalison12
    Omar wrote surah (quranic chapter) " El Mulk" on his biography, signaling that he was free inside because everything belongs to Allah (God), he never felt to be a "possession" of someone no matter what's his rank in Society ( his last "master" was a governor). The connection which Islam establishes with the Creator is unshakable.
  • @antar5801
    I’m in tear’s, I name two of my sons in Omar name. This is such a powerful message.
  • @annasahlstrom6109
    I saw Omar at the LA Opera and I was absolutely blown away. It is a must-see show. An absolutely vital production.
  • @user-dt8kp2th2l
    Thank you for sharing this important historical story.👍😊
  • @nlp6082
    I would love to see this opera. Thank you!
  • @DavidKerley
    Like so many countless others, yet another important part of our collective story we never heard about. Once again we ask ourselves, "Why?"
  • @josephalison12
    The name Omar is the name of one of the Muslim rulers ( Omar ibn Khattab), under his rule joined the Power, the Justice, the compassion and extreme piety. A model for humanity. I encourage everyone to look this name up in the net.
  • @xonvaldez
    I have my ticket for LA Opera performance in November!!