Fatīmah Muhammad Muslamānī

Who was Mrs Fatīmah Muhammad Muslamānī?

Mrs Fatīmah Muhammad Muslamānī, also known as Fatima Moslimani, was a Syrian-Lebanese survivor of the Titanic disaster. Born on January 12, 1890, in Tibnīn, al-Janub, Lebanon, she was 22 (twenty-two) years old when she embarked on the ill-fated voyage. Fatīmah’s remarkable journey from the Titanic to her later life in America is a testament to her resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity.

Early Life and Family

Lebanese Roots

Fatīmah was born into a Shi’a Muslim family in Tibnīn, Lebanon. Her parents were Muhammad Muslamānī and Zaynab Katamay. Growing up in a close-knit community, Fatīmah had at least two siblings, including a brother named Hassan.

Journey to a New World

In 1912, Fatīmah decided to embark on a life-changing journey to America. Her destination was Michigan City, Indiana, where several of her siblings had already settled. This decision would set in motion a series of events that would forever change the course of her life.

The Titanic Voyage

Boarding the Ill-Fated Ship

Fatīmah boarded the Titanic at Cherbourg as a third-class passenger. Her ticket details were as follows:

Ticket Number: 2649
Cost: £7, 4s, 6d (7 pounds, 4 shillings, and 6 pence)

She had already made the voyage from Beirut to Marseille before joining the Titanic for the transatlantic crossing.

Traveling Companions

Fatīmah was not alone on this journey. She was accompanied by two male cousins:

Mustafà Nasr ‘Almā
Yūsuf Ahmad Waznah

Both cousins were also from Tibnīn and, tragically, did not survive the sinking.

Life Aboard the Titanic

During her time on the Titanic, Fatīmah reportedly shared a cabin with an unidentified woman and her four-year-old daughter. This brief connection would be one of many fleeting relationships formed during the short-lived voyage.

Survival and Aftermath

The Fateful Night

When the Titanic struck the iceberg on April 14, 1912, Fatīmah was among the fortunate few who survived the disaster. While the exact details of her rescue are not provided, we know that she made it to safety while her two cousins perished in the tragedy.

Recovery in New York

Upon arrival in New York, Fatīmah was treated for the effects of exposure. This experience must have been traumatic, combining the physical toll of the cold Atlantic waters with the emotional shock of the disaster and the loss of her cousins.

Life After the Titanic

A Quick Marriage

In a surprising turn of events, Fatīmah continued to Indiana and was married the following month on May 7, 1912, to Mohammad Mustafa Ajamy, who was born in 1890 and also appeared to be from Tibnīn. This quick marriage following such a traumatic event raises intriguing questions about the social and emotional dynamics at play.

Challenges and Changes

The marriage to Mohammad Mustafa Ajamy was short-lived:

The couple did not have any children
They were later divorced
Mohammad remarried and had a family, passing away in the 1940s

A New Identity

Adapting to her new life in America, Fatīmah anglicized her name to Fatima Muselmanie. This change reflected her efforts to integrate into American society while maintaining a connection to her heritage.

Fatima’s Life in America

Citizenship and Residence

January 1927: Fatima was naturalized as a US Citizen
Address at naturalization: 317½ Washington Street, Michigan City

Economic Challenges

By 1930, the census described Fatima as divorced and still using her married name. To make ends meet, she rented out rooms in Michigan City, showcasing her resourcefulness in difficult times.

Second Marriage

On September 22, 1936, Fatima married for a second time to Charley Salem, born in 1896 and also from Lebanon. However, this marriage was also brief, ending in divorce.

Later Years and Legacy

Reconnecting with Roots

In the 1940s, Fatima made a poignant return visit to Lebanon, demonstrating her enduring connection to her homeland. She returned to the USA on December 1, 1947, aboard the Marine Carp from Beirut.

Final Home in Dearborn

In the early 1950s, Fatima moved to Dearborn, Michigan, a city known for its significant Arab-American population. Her address in July 1958 was listed as 2147 Canabear(?) Street, Dearborn.

A Life Well-Lived

Fatima spent her final years surrounded by her extended family in Dearborn. She passed away on February 16, 1971, at the age of 81 (eighty-one), in a nursing home. Her final resting place is in Roseland Park Cemetery, Berkeley, Michigan, where she is buried alongside her brother Hassan (1892-1968).

Fatima Muslamānī’s life story is a remarkable tale of survival, adaptation, and resilience. From the shores of Lebanon to the decks of the Titanic, and finally to a new life in America, her journey embodies the immigrant experience of the early 20th century. Her survival of the Titanic disaster is but one chapter in a life filled with challenges, changes, and ultimately, a sense of belonging in her adopted homeland.