Christian / Muslim Relations, 1219 A.D.
Topic: The Story
In the year 1219 A.D. — as the Medieval Crusades were raging — Francis of Assisi, a Christian minister, sailed to Damietta, Egypt, where crusaders were besieging a Muslim fortress. It was not his intention to join in the bloody conflict; rather, he hoped to speak to the local Muslim prince about the gospel of Christ.
So, in the very midst of the battle, Francis and one of his companions found a way to cross the enemy lines and ask the Muslims to take them to their leader, Sultan Malik al–Kamil. Sounds crazy, but it worked. They were ushered right into al–Kamil’s presence.
When questioned by the prince, Francis replied, “We are telling you in all truth that if you die in the law which you now profess, you will be lost and God will not possess your soul. It is for this reason we have come.”
The sultan’s counselors were enraged: “Lord, you are the sword of the law: you have the duty to maintain and defend it. We command you, in the name of Allah and Muhammad, who has given us the law, to cut off their heads here and now, for we do not want to listen to anything they have to say.”