American_Jihad
Flaming Libs/Koranimals
Might be time for some crusades...
The Siege of Byzantium
August 16, 2013 By Raymond Ibrahim
Yesterday, August 15, marks the anniversary of Constantinoples victory over Muslim invaders in what historians commonly call the Second Siege of Byzantium, 71718. Prior to this massive onslaught, the Muslims had been hacking away at the domains of the Byzantine empire for nearly a century. The Muslims ultimate goal was the conquest of Constantinople for both political and religious reasons.
Politically, Islam had no rival but the hated Christians of Byzantium, known by various appellations including al-Rum (the Romans), al-Nassara (the Nazarenes), and, most notoriously, al-Kilab (the dogs). The eastern Sasanian Empire had already been vanquished, and Persia subsumed into the caliphate. Only the worshippers of the cross as they were, and still are, disparagingly known were left as contenders over the eastern Mediterranean basin.
More important, Constantinople from a theological perspective simply had to fall. From the start, Islam and jihad were inextricably linked. The jihad, or holy war, which took over Arabia and Persia, followed by Syria, Egypt, and all of North Africa all formerly Byzantine territory was considered a religious obligation, or, as later codified in sharia law, a fard kifaya: a communal obligation on the body of believers, to be adhered to and fulfilled no less than the Five Pillars of Islam. As the famous 14th-century Muslim historian Ibn Khaldun put it: In the Muslim community, the jihad is a religious duty, because of the universalism of the Muslim mission and the obligation to convert everybody to Islam either by persuasion or by force. . . . Islam is under obligation to gain power over other nations.
...
Seeking to capitalize on this naval victory and the enthusiasm of the Christians, Leo had the retreating Muslim fleets pursued on land, and many Muslims were cut down. Simultaneously, the neighboring Bulgars who, though occasionally hostile to the Christian empire, had no love for the new invaders, the Muslims were persuaded by Leos gifts and promises into attacking and ultimately killing as many as 22,000 of Maslamas battle-weary, half-starved men.
To make matters worse, a report was dexterously scattered that the Franks, the unknown nations of the Latin world, were arming by sea and land in defense of the Christian cause, and their formidable aid was expected. (It would be another three centuries before the Franks and Muslims would engage in a military conflict, spanning over two centuries, that would come to be known as the Crusades.)
...
Nor should the architect of this great victory be forgotten. The Byzantine historian Vasiliev concludes that by his successful resistance Leo saved not only the Byzantine Empire and the Eastern Christian world, but also all of Western civilization.
...
The Siege of Byzantium | FrontPage Magazine
The Siege of Byzantium
August 16, 2013 By Raymond Ibrahim
Yesterday, August 15, marks the anniversary of Constantinoples victory over Muslim invaders in what historians commonly call the Second Siege of Byzantium, 71718. Prior to this massive onslaught, the Muslims had been hacking away at the domains of the Byzantine empire for nearly a century. The Muslims ultimate goal was the conquest of Constantinople for both political and religious reasons.
Politically, Islam had no rival but the hated Christians of Byzantium, known by various appellations including al-Rum (the Romans), al-Nassara (the Nazarenes), and, most notoriously, al-Kilab (the dogs). The eastern Sasanian Empire had already been vanquished, and Persia subsumed into the caliphate. Only the worshippers of the cross as they were, and still are, disparagingly known were left as contenders over the eastern Mediterranean basin.
More important, Constantinople from a theological perspective simply had to fall. From the start, Islam and jihad were inextricably linked. The jihad, or holy war, which took over Arabia and Persia, followed by Syria, Egypt, and all of North Africa all formerly Byzantine territory was considered a religious obligation, or, as later codified in sharia law, a fard kifaya: a communal obligation on the body of believers, to be adhered to and fulfilled no less than the Five Pillars of Islam. As the famous 14th-century Muslim historian Ibn Khaldun put it: In the Muslim community, the jihad is a religious duty, because of the universalism of the Muslim mission and the obligation to convert everybody to Islam either by persuasion or by force. . . . Islam is under obligation to gain power over other nations.
...
Seeking to capitalize on this naval victory and the enthusiasm of the Christians, Leo had the retreating Muslim fleets pursued on land, and many Muslims were cut down. Simultaneously, the neighboring Bulgars who, though occasionally hostile to the Christian empire, had no love for the new invaders, the Muslims were persuaded by Leos gifts and promises into attacking and ultimately killing as many as 22,000 of Maslamas battle-weary, half-starved men.
To make matters worse, a report was dexterously scattered that the Franks, the unknown nations of the Latin world, were arming by sea and land in defense of the Christian cause, and their formidable aid was expected. (It would be another three centuries before the Franks and Muslims would engage in a military conflict, spanning over two centuries, that would come to be known as the Crusades.)
...
Nor should the architect of this great victory be forgotten. The Byzantine historian Vasiliev concludes that by his successful resistance Leo saved not only the Byzantine Empire and the Eastern Christian world, but also all of Western civilization.
...
The Siege of Byzantium | FrontPage Magazine
