The Zengids had no enemies around them, as we created none. We focused on trade, learning, and religion, rather than the European 'art' of warfare. But even then, when the time came, we aided both the Abassids and the Fatmids in war. We were wildly successful, and now our armies wait for the Christian tribals that wish to attempt to dislodge us from the Holy Land for being 'disrespectful'.
"Disrespectful" is far too soft a term to describe the massacre of tens of thousands of innocent people, who were simply caught in the crossfire.
As if perceived disrespect really warrants any foreign involvement in the affairs of the Sultanate, or that of the Islamic nations in general. What to us, is disrespectful is your stalling of helping the Axumites. Their blood does not lay soley on our hands, but yours as well. We heard nothing from the 'Holy Roman' Empire. Not a word of condemnation, and the only support sent to the Axumites was a token force from the Venetian tribals. You had every opportunity to cease our war against Axum, and yet you played politics, and chivalry instead. We offered the Axumites peace under our rule dozens of times, and they had every opportunity to cease fighting. Even now, in their exile, they continue the war against us. We did not go into Axumite lands to kill civillians, we killed those who resisted our rule, an act hardly Chivalrous, wouldn't you say? Does not the victor get to rule over the vanquished, in the same way you have forced yourselves upon non-Christian locals?
We offered peace to the Fatimids first. We proposed that everything return to the status quo, with nothing lost or gained. It was a perfectly reasonable offer, and there is no reason why they should not have accepted it, seeing as they were on the losing side. On the other hand, you were aggressive with your "offers", demanding our conversion to Islam and vassalage to you.
Unfortunately, most of the Coptics were killed off by the Zengid army before they could do anything.
This, of course, implies that there was a general massacre of the Copts before any hint of rebellion began. Only barbarians ruthlessly kill everyone in their path, raze cities, and destroy entire nations. And you talk about yourself being "chivalrous", when you refuse to even call your enemies by their proper names.
It's funny that the very people who preach Chivalry, and Christian brotherhood are the same ones who left their African brothers out to dry. If you wish to turn the area into a crime scene, know that you are also all suspect. Those who allow a crime to happen are as at fault as much as those who commit the crime. And while we would hardly consider what we did to be out of the norm, inappropriate, or worthy of being called a crime, if that's what the cornerstone of your argument is, then for arguments sake we'll call it one.
Yet we don't see how committing a crime of equal proportions will solve much of anything, but leave many of your tribal soldiers dead in the sands of the Levant. Was it not Jesus of Nazareth who encourage his follows to simply turn the other cheek? Your blatant aggression serves no religious or moral purpose, and the opportunity you had to do any good with the situation has long passed. Where were you when the Axumites needed you? Where were you to help solve the issue through words, and not through sword? Busy elsewhere? It does not take many men to contact both parties, and try to solve the conflict through diplomacy, rather than sword. Rather, the Axumite calls went entirely unanswered, and it is another black-stain that will forever be left on your already black record. The 'Holy Roman' Empire has shown itself to be nothing more than opportunists, that wish to rape the rich lands of the Levant, steal our knowledge and plant their tribal flags across the coast. It's clear to any Moslem that you are simply taking advantage of the situation that has transpired. Now that you have finished fighting the Pagans around you, you turn your greedy eye to the glorious sands of Arabia.
"Blatant aggression"? That term fits much better on you. Although we agree that the Catholic response did take far too long, the important part is that they did, in the end, come to save us before all hope was lost. There was considerable indirect support from Aquitaine, and the only reason for this delay was the incredible bureaucracy of the Holy Roman Empire (OOC: The difficulty of getting everyone to reply) Also, be careful about how you chastise your enemies; did you not join the war solely so your soldiers could taste blood, so you could conquer new lands for your empire, so you could take advantage of a weak nation that has done nothing against you? After you finished fighting the peoples within you, you turned your greedy eye to the glorious lands of Axum.
Just know Moslem brothers, with the Zengid Sultanate at war, there is no one to protect you. And should the Christian tribals have their way with us, know you will be next on the chopping block. We are the protectors of Islam right now, and we are calling upon all of our Brothers to aid us in our fight against the Christian opportunists, and spread the faith by the sword if need be. Our two worlds can't exist together for much longer. Allah beats the Shaitan every time, and so shall we on this land. For unlike Jesus of Nazareth's teaching that the Children of Judea follow, the Qu'ran preaches Qisas.
"O ye who believe, equivalence is the law decreed for ye when dealing with murder - the free for the free, the slave for the slave, the female for the female. If one is pardoned by the victim's kin, an appreciative response is in order, and an equitable compensation shall be paid. This is an alleviation from thine Lord and mercy. Anyone who transgresses beyond this incurs a painful retribution"
With the exception of the corrupt kings of Tagrabunti Armenia, no Christians have ever gone to war without a righteous cause, usually in defence of their lands or fellow co-religionists who were being brutally prosecuted. This, of course, falls into "brutally prosecuted".
Why cannot Christians and Muslims peacefully co-exist in this world? Because of the aggression of people like you, who manipulate and bend your religion and your holy scriptures to fit your own desires and aspirations. We have no doubt that if there was no greedy, aggressive people like you, peace, harmony, and happiness would reign in this world.
It is your duty, Moslem brothers, to stop this incursion into the Holy land, arms locked with us Zengids.
It is your duty, Christian brothers, to aid us in our righteous war, arms locked together in the defense of our faith.
It is also important to note that the statement above made by the Zengids softly suggests Zengid supremacy in the Muslim world.
OOC: Whoa. That was long.