for centuries arab muslims had generally welcomed christian pilgrams to hold land. which group later took control of the hold land, attacked pilgrams, and led pope urban to the crusades?
The group that later took control of the Holy Land, attacked pilgrims, and led Pope Urban II to call for the Crusades were the Seljuk Turks. To understand this historical context, let's break it down step by step:
1. Background: In the early centuries of Islam, Arab Muslims controlled the Holy Land, which includes Jerusalem and the surrounding area.
2. Seljuk Turks: In the 11th century, a Turkic group known as the Seljuks migrated into the Middle East and gradually gained power. They converted to Sunni Islam and established their own empire, known as the Seljuk Empire.
3. Welcoming Christian Pilgrims: Initially, the Seljuk Turks followed the tradition of allowing Christian pilgrims to visit the Holy Land and protecting their rights. This was in line with the general Islamic principles of hospitality towards non-Muslims.
4. Change in Policy: However, over time, the Seljuk Turks faced internal conflicts and political instability. In addition, Christian pilgrims faced increasing harassment and attacks from local Muslim rulers and bandits. This led to a change in the Seljuk policy towards Christian pilgrims.
5. Attacks on Pilgrims: By the late 11th century, the situation for Christian pilgrims had worsened considerably. Reports of violence, looting, and destruction against pilgrims and sacred Christian sites, especially in Jerusalem, reached Europe and deeply alarmed Christians.
6. Pope Urban II and the Crusades: In 1095, Pope Urban II received an appeal for help from the Byzantine Emperor Alexios I, who sought military aid against the Seljuk Turks. Moved by the plight of the Christian pilgrims, Pope Urban II called for a holy war, known as the Crusades, to recapture the Holy Land from the Turks and protect Christian interests.
In summary, the Seljuk Turks, due to their change in policy and the deteriorating conditions faced by Christian pilgrims, provoked Pope Urban II to call for the Crusades. The Crusades were a series of military campaigns launched by European Christians to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslim control.