Al-Jazeera Remembers July 12, 1191: Acre Falls to the Crusaders

On July 12, 2008 Arabic news station al-Jazeera did a recurring five minute piece lamenting the fall of the Muslim city of Acre (Arabic: 'Akka) to the Crusaders. The Siege of Acre commenced August 28, 1189, concluded July 12, 1191, and was the first confrontation of the Third Crusade, also known as the Kings' Crusade.

As reported by Raymond Ibrahim for Jihad Watch, the al-Jazeera narrator was more or less objective regarding the facts of this battle, though much more emphasis was placed on the "atrocities" committed against the Muslim inhabitants of Acre than anything else.

Were atrocities committed? One would be naive to reply in the negative. This does not negate the justification for the Third Crusade, or the first one for that matter. What the West is failing to acknowledge for the sake of political correctness and/or a misguided attempt at appeasement for peace's sake is historical accuracy of the Western world's struggles with Islam. Revising history doesn't change it, it hides it. History is usually interesting and always relevant, we must heed the lessons regardless if we like the message or not. If the West continues to bury their heads in the sand, regarding Islamic ideology, they risk finding the same removed from its host.

One thing for certain is that the "radical" or perhaps a more apt description is "devout," regardless of the adjective; the Islamic world is winning the hearts and minds of their citizens, especially the young. Islamic ideology is furthered by great propagandist machines, dressed up as objective and secular entities such as al-Jazeera. As the al-Jazeera "Today in History" segment revealed, historical context is simply to further a jihadist agenda.

In order to convince the populous that jihad is justified in contrast to the view of the "religion of peace" the Islamic supremacists must convince the populous that they are merely defending themselves from the kafir (non-Muslims) or as Osama refers to such ilk, the as-Salibin: "the Crusaders."

When media outlets such as al-Jazeera report their version of history, it is not for history's sake folks. It is to say "Hey on July 12, 1191 the Crusaders (modern day Americans and Europeans) disrespected Muslims AND they are still doing it today. Those in the West suffering from Bush Derangement Syndrome, or just at the mall, or stuck in their version of reality [television], replies, "Hey, that's right dude" and returns to their next purchase of blue jeans and super-sized cups of kool-aid.

The West over the years has furthered the mantra that the West was the perpetrators of that era. The problem with such revisionist way of thinking is it gives present day Islamic jihadists encouragement and justification. Young Muslim men graduating madrassas and entering Taliban University aren't saying "Yeah dude that was 1191 no big deal." No, they are saying "Death to America."

Mr. Ibrahim reminds us that Osama bin Laden reveals that he (Osama) has a prodigious memory concerning both the former glory of Islam as well as the "indignities" it has been made to suffer at the hands of the Crusaders and their descendants, modern day Westerners, whom he, and almost every other "radical," refers to simply as as-Salibin: "the Crusaders."

Political correctness be damned, let the West not forget their past accurate historical accounts and the indignities it has been made to suffer at the hands of the "religion of peace."

Never Forget.

The eventual Fall of Acre was realized in 1291 and that siege lasted only six weeks, beginning on April 6 and ending with the fall of the city to the Muslims on May 18, though the Templars would hold out in their fortified headquarters until the 28th.

Al-Jazeera's take? Stay tuned.

Today, the old city of Acre (Hebrew: Akko) located in the Western Galilee area of northern Israel has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and contains a tunnel leading to a 13th century fortress of the Knights Templar. Acre has one of the highest proportions of non-Jews of any of Israel's cities with an Arab and Druze population, as well as a small community of Baha'is [baa haa hees], who regard Acre as the most sacred city in their faith. The city is a magnet for tourists and the home of the country's steel industry. It also produces exports including iron, chemicals, and textiles. Source: wikipedia