Matthew Riemer: 'Militant patriotism and America's jihad' [The Smirking Chimp]
Surely it was Christianity that declared the first "real" jihad against the uncivilized, barbaric, heathen Muslims (who, simply to respect the truth, were far more advanced than their high and mighty Western assailants) when, in 1095, Pope Urban II said, "Let's get 'em!"
This was the first "real" jihad in the sense that a war was being declared against not only a particular region and religion, but on an entire way of life, an entire people and culture.
While I'll be the first guy to admit that a lot of Arabs are probably still bitter about the crusades, let's not pretend that that Europeans launched a surprise attack on the otherwise peaceful Muslims in 1095.
Let's not forget the Battle of Tours in 732, which stopped a Muslim invasion of Europe three and a half centuries before the crusades started. Let's not forget that by then the Iberian peninsula had already been conquered by Muslims who would remain until almost the end of the 15th century. Let's not forget that parts of eastern Europe were were controlled by conquering Muslims (though not Arabs) until into the 20th century.
Either this guy is being disingenuous or his attempt to show off his knowledge of history has shown how little he knows.
9:58:39 AM 
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