Saladin (1137-1193) was the sultan of Egypt and Syria and one of the most important Muslim leaders of history. He succesfully fought against European Crusaders who had won control of the Holy Land and Jerusalem. He crushed Christian armies at the Battle of Hattin in 1187, a victory that opened the door to the re-conquest of Jerusalem by Muslims. The Holy City, a sacred place for the three monotheistic religions, fell into his hands soon after Hattin.
