Few people know the history of Islamic invasion of what is now France by the Al-Andulus Muslims in the eighth century. The Franks, led by Charles Martel, defeated the Muslim army at the Battle of Tours in 735 a.d. and spent the next decade pushing them back over the Pyrenees Mountains into what is now Spain. Charles ‘The Hammer’ Martel was the grandfather of Charlemagne.
Even less known is the Muslim attack on Rome in 846 AD and the Sea Battle of Ostia off the port of Rome several years later. Those who wish Christians would stop obeying a central tenent of their faith, to evangelize, should get down on their knees and give a prayer of thanksgiving they are not compelled to face Mecca and pray five times a day.