It is widely believed that the Crusades led to widespread distrust between Muslims and Christians, and for the most part that is true. However, the whole truth is a bit more complex.
There were places where Muslims and Christians worked well together. For example, the city of Toledo is Spain was one of the great ecumenical sites for the meeting of Jews, Muslims, and Christians that lasted for quite some time. In addition, medieval Christian philosophers like Thomas Aquinas were in debt to the Muslim world for Latin translations of Aristotle. Aquinas shows that gratitude often in quoting with favor Muslim philosophers such as Avicenna and Averoes.
Francis of Assisi went to the holy land in an attempt to make peace in the midst of the Crusades by trying to convert the Muslim leaders. Though he failed in that endeavor, he was treated well by his captors and showed favor to them in return.
The Muslim and Christian world has been apart for quite some time and there have been hostilities between the two even to this day. However, lots of places have promising bright spots. Iraq, before the U.S. invaded, was a great example of Muslims and Christians working together with mutual respect. There are some common ventures in other areas as well in the Holy Land and other places. Slowly, the Crusades are being forgotten and a new paradigm of cooperation is beginning to take place.
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