Essay Questions

Who was Saladin?

Salah- Ad Din was a Kurdish military leader who is known by the name of Saladin or Salah- ad Din Ayubi in the history. He fought with the crusaders for getting Jerusalem back. He was a wise leader and a freedom fighter who was generous to his subjects. He fought with the European crusaders to freed his nation from their atrocities and violence. Saladin won the battles owing to his effective tactics and leadership skills.

Who was Ibn Yakub?

Ibn Yakub was a Jewish scribe who completed the biography of Saladin on his wish. Saladin wanted to write his biography and on the suggestion of a friend, he hired Ibn Yakub. After Saladin’s death, he interviewed his wife and friends and completed his biography. Although Ibn Yakub was a Jew but still he wrote about the heroic deeds of Saladin and his magnificent personality without lying about anything.

How had the crusaders captured the sacred land?

The crusaders inflicted violence on the natives and subjugated them in their own homeland. Jerusalem was very sacred to both Muslims and Christians because of their religious affiliation with the place. The crusaders called the Muslims as heretics and persecuted them for their religious beliefs. Saladin fought with them and gained freedom for both the land and the Muslims who were getting tortured by the crusaders.

How does the 12th century conflict relate to the present day?

The crusaders represent the Zionists of the present day who has captivated Palestine and are committing violence on the Palestinians. The problem of Israel and Palestine is similar to the conflict between crusaders and the Muslims. The Zionists have acquired the land of the Muslims just like the European crusaders and they are attempting to erase the identities of Palestinians. The crusaders claimed that Jerusalem belong to them and Zionists also hold this baseless view that Palestine is their land.