Final answer:
The Crusades, beginning in 1099 with the capture of Jerusalem, were the first significant event that awoke Islamic nations to European military power and superiority.
Step-by-step explanation:
The event that first awoke Islamic nations to European military power and superiority was The Crusades. These conflicts, which began in the final years of the eleventh century, demonstrated the ability of European forces to organize and execute military campaigns far from their home territories. The Europeans' arrival in the eastern Mediterranean and their establishment of kingdoms in the territory of the Fatimid Caliphate were clear demonstrations of their military capabilities, notwithstanding the often disorganized nature of individual crusades. The capture of Jerusalem in 1099 and the slaughter of civilians showcased the Crusaders' brutality and the threat they posed to Islamic civilizations. Over time, the Crusades led Islamic societies to recognize the growing military prowess of Europe.