How did Usama understand the Europeans? How did he describe his own society? What were his views on Christianity? How did he view his own religion?

In the “Modules” section I’ve posted a text by Usama ibn Munqidh, written in the twelfth century. Usama was a Syrian Muslim gentleman who encountered and dealt with the invading Crusaders (“Franks”) and described them.Please read some or all of the passage – it’s interesting and colorful – and respond with any of your own observations. How did Usama understand the Europeans? How did he describe his own society? What were his views on Christianity? How did he view his own religion?