But I also love learning about other cultures. While that's something I usually don't do at work, I make time on my own. The past few days I've dedicated some time to learning more about Islam. I knew the very basics: Muhammad is the prophet they follow, they don't believe Jesus is the son of God, Jerusalem is their Holy City, they celebrate Ramadan and follow the Quran.
In this PBS special, I learned Muhammad's message was that there was only one God. He unified the Arab world with that message. Then the Ottoman Empire raised up. This program reports that for awhile all three major religions lived and worshiped in peace in Jerusalem until one of the leaders called for a church to be burned. Word of that spread to Europe. And even though the next ruler had the church rebuilt several years later, the pope's call for the Crusades was a go. I've obviously heard of the Crusades but honestly didn't know it was against the Muslims.