Saladin and the Crusades

The crusades began in 1096 and lasted for about 200 years. The Holy City - Jerusalem - was captured during the first crusade in 1099. In 1168, the crusaders attacked Egypt. The Sultan of Syria sent his Kurdish Commander, Shirkuh, to Egypt to help fight off the Crusaders. He was made chief minister to the Fatimid ruler, but died soon after and was succeeded by his nephew, Saladin.
Aaladin, a Kurdish warrior, became the Sultan of Egypt and champion of Islam. He set up his own dynasty in Egypt, the Ayyubids, and built up the Citadel which dominated the city of Cairo since the 1100s. Saladin was supported by his Kurdish soldiers and Mamluk-slave guards. He led his men to the Holy Land, where they retook Jerusalem.
Saladin died in 1193. For the next 20 years, there were more battles against the crusaders. After the failure of the seventh crusade, Egypt was left alone, its part in the crusades finished
The Ayyubids brought orthodox Sunni Islam back to the country instead of Shii Islam which was brought by the Fatimids, and made Egypt a center for Islamic learning and culture once again. They also brought the Mamluks to the country in large numbers.