The Role of Muslim Leaders in the Second Crusade

Hostilities Faced by Muslims

For many years, Muslims have faced a lot of hostilities and being fought where the opponents give varied reasons for setting up crusades. Most of the quests that are always directed towards the Muslims usually have significant impacts that often claim lives and destroy massive properties. It is also important to note that there are criminal groups that usually associate themselves with Islam making Muslims become victims of circumstances. For instance, most of the terror groups have claimed to have close connections with Muslim leaders after executing horrific acts. However, after investigations of such incidents, some reports have identified certain levels of truth with regards to terror and other criminal gangs have a close connection with Muslims. It is also imperative to note that these acts require adequate and resourceful funding that the gang members lack. Therefore, by making close connections with Muslims, criminal and terror gangs can secure financial and resource support.

The Frankish Invasion

According to the article, the Frankish invasion formed one of the most significant battles that Muslims have ever faced in history. This invasion targeted some parts of Asia and the coastal regions of Syria between the years 1098 to 1099. This invasion created mixed feelings of reactions among Muslims where some people disliked it, others saw it as an opportunity, there was also another group that saw it as a complete rejection, and the religious ones began their outcries. Due to the ongoing malpractices and other crimes that were done in these regions, some European soldiers and army had to set their presence during the invasion (Mourad and James 102). The Frankish invasion had different missions and adopted varied strategies to succeed. This is evidenced by the use of means such as those of assimilating other Muslims during the conquest. Also, the increasing number of Muslims who were lending their hands to the invasion shows that there was a group allied to Islam that was focused on achieving good courses as opposed to crimes and terrorism.

Leadership and Jihad in the Second Crusade

However, the Frankish invasion and other quests that were associated with the Second Crusade were quite harsh to Muslims and other affiliated groups. This is the reason as to why some leaders like Ibn Asakir endeavored in participating in jihad and other pursuits that were geared towards fighting back the enemies. In the article, Ibn Asakir is one of the charismatic leaders that the authors deal much on. Jihad was also used as a determinant of knowing the faithful and loyal Muslims (Mourad and James 105). To show the role of the Muslim leaders during this time, the authors analyze how the formation and rise in jihad movements, soldiers, and armies of the Second Crusade intensified their courses. For instance, the attack on Damascus had huge impacts on the Muslims making jihad reorganize and reorient their missions under the stewardship of people like Ibn Asakir and other key leaders.

Muslim Responses to the Second Crusade

It is without a doubt that Muslims did not take the Second Crusade lightly, as evidenced by the article. Once the war became too much and destructive, Muslims and their leaders had to reorganize themselves and fight back. Muslims used means like the formation of Jihad to fight their enemies and achieve their means. However, there were other Muslim members who embarked on waging holy war during this time. Still, there was a group of Muslims who could give in and form collaborations with the invaders during the Second Crusade. They joined the invaders in order took the advantage of the military strength to acquire higher positions. Such people have been demonstrated as Muslim opponents in the article.

Work Cited

Mourad, Suleiman A., and James E. Lindsay. “A Muslim Response to the Second Crusade: Ibn ʿAsākir of Damascus as Propagandist of Jihad.”The Second Crusade: Holy War on the Periphery of Latin Christendom. 91-111.