Nevertheless, I have, for some time, felt it is rather strange for Muslims to view the Crusaders as such villains. Yes, many of the Crusaders were guilty of atrocities against Muslims. Much of what the Crusaders did was inexcusable, and, I might add, totally contrary to the spirit of the Christian faith they claimed to be fighting for. Still, what many Muslims seem not to realize (or are unwilling to acknowledge) is that the Crusades were a reaction to the actions of Muslims. Muslim armies had conquered lands in the Middle East and North Africa that had once been considered part of Christendom. From the viewpoint of many European Christians, it was the Muslims who had been the aggressors. This doesn't justify the Crusades, but it does make them a little more understandable.
Indeed, it is ironic to me that Muslims should object to warfare conducted in the name of God. After all, in its first few centuries, Islam was spread in large part through the sword--unlike Christianity, which in its earliest stages spread through peaceful means. Of course, from the Muslim viewpoint, Islamic "holy war" was justified as Islam is supposedly the true religion. But non-Muslims reject this claim. Thus, from the perspectives of non-Muslims (Christian or otherwise), Muslim complaints about the Crusades and the Crusaders seem hypocritical. It would be refreshing to see Muslims at least acknowledging this, rather than always fulminating about the evil Crusaders.
Image of a Crusader from catholic.com