NOTE: WHY DO I USE THE WORD "CRUSADE"?

In the two years since I posted this series I have received messages from many Christians stating that they are offended by the word "crusade" (a derivation of "cross") being associated with Islamic violence. I chose to use that word because The Crusades are something that most in the post-modern, politically correct West recognize as "evil." Many westerners are still not acquainted with the real meaning of words like "jihad," "shariah," "dhimmis", etc. Hopefully in 2010 more people DO understand the true meaning of those words.

In short, I chose the word "crusades" to highlight that Christians were not the only ones who fought religious wars of conquest. My intention was not to insult Christianity. Christianity is a religion of peace that is sometimes used by extremists to justify violence. Islam is a religion of war. I pray for the day when these videos are no longer needed. Until that day I will keep the name "Islamic Crusades."

BLOG: http://occidentalsoapbox.blogspot.com/2008/09/before-islam-story-of-islamification-of.html

These are three brief examples, but this story has been repeated wherever Islam has asserted itself. When Islam comes to a new nation, its purpose is not to adapt to the fabric of the host society, or to become just one religion among many equals. Its goal is to become the dominant religion. The Muslim belief is that once a territory has been under Muslim rule, it can never be relinquished again. And so former Muslim colonies such as Spain, Israel and the Balkans, are high on the list for reconquest. But make no mistake, any territory is fair game.

Further reading on Dar-al-Islam, Dar-al-Harb, and Dhimmitude:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divisions_of_the_world_in_Islam
http://jihadwatch.org/dhimmiwatch/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhimmi
http://www.dhimmitude.org/

Further reading on Egypt and the native Copts:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copts
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/three-die-as-muslims-sack-church-in-dvd-protest-512127.html
http://freecopts.net/english/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=90&Itemid=9
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coptic_Orthodox_Church_of_Alexandria
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copt
http://www.copts.net/history.asp

Further reading on Iraq and the native Assyrians:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assyrian_people
http://www.christiansofiraq.com/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/04/21/ST2008042103252.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/17/world/middleeast/17christians.html
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2007/oct/01/iraqi-christians-forced-to-leave/

Further reading on Iran and the native Zoroastrians:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoroastrianism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoroastrians_in_Iran
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/05/middle_east_zoroastrians_in_iran/html/1.stm
http://plateauofiran.wordpress.com/2008/07/11/zoroastrians-and-islam-in-iran/