Since the advent of Islam in the seventh century, the Caliphate has been expansionist in philosophy with a growing belief during that time in forced conversion of infidels (anybody not Muslim, especially Christians). Don't take my word for it, look up actual history for that period, especially in the 8th, 10th, and 11th centuries. Deniers of this like to start history at the time of the crusades, when some western crusaders treated middle eastern inhabitants with savagery, but keep in mind why the crusaders were there in the first place. They did not travel thousands of miles to work on their tans, the Christian population in the Middle East requested protection and the restoration of the ability to practice their faith, and the intent of the crusades was to provide same, not to conquer Islam.
Now contrast this with Ireland. In the case of Ireland, rightly or wrongly, they were the victims of expansionist colonialism from England. No condemnation here, that was just the way things were in early European history, but the two situations, aside from the violence, had very little similarity.