The interaction between the Crusaders and Muslims in the East : myth and reality

Abstract EN

Historically, Christianity and Islam have had their fourteen hundredyear relationship defined by the era of the Crusades, a period that has often been characterized as a disastrous clash between two societies.

The series of holy wars each religion mutually experienced through Crusade and jihad have undoubtedly had the greatest impact upon how their relationship has developed throughout the years.

The longstanding realities that contributed so greatly to the generated perceptions have persisted even into contemporary times.

Unfortunately, many of the perceptions are true, especially those emphasizing deeply rooted hatred between the followers of the two religions, which resulted in fanatic intolerance.

Once the era of crusading warfare had begun, there was seemingly no way to stop it, and with recurring periods of conflict grew the distrust, misunderstanding, and often outright hatred between followers of the two religions.

Control of Jerusalem, sacred ground of the three religions of Abraham, has undoubtedly been a central focus of crusading warfare, which was to be the ebb and flow in the eastern Mediterranean world for several hundred years; a period of intense religious confliction for what the leaders of each faith believed, and argued to be waging on behalf of a just cause.

Yet, despite the obvious examples of intolerance and violence that have been labelled as characteristics of Crusades, there remains more to be undertaken in hopes of gaining a perfect view.

Perceptions and understanding of the relationship between Muslims and Christians during the Crusades are subject to revision.

This research will try to define who the Crusaders were, the interactions between them and the Muslims, their views about each other, and the approaches of both religions – Islam and Christianity – during the Crusades.