I played the game and conquered all of the Arabian peninsula and some of Anatolia. I'm in the 123rd turn (Long Campaign, Very Hard) and I noticed that it is nearly impossible for me to further expand my empire. The reasons is the lack of my elite native units.

Even though this is very true in history... yet armies were able to gather local warriors that were more than the Ahdath but of course not religious units like Templars in a Muslim Ayyubid army. I also know that some warriors like Syrian nobles, hillmen and Iranian archers etc are recruitable.. they are only garrison units and unfit for conquest.

so, I think if a Culture meter was added in order to unlock some of the more elite native units, or since empires like the seljuks and ayyubid share the same religion but different cultures.. they should have a full access to all Egyptian units if they captured a native town.

It's just a proposal to make the game faster because recruiting native units takes a long time especially with their small pool and rates. If both suggestions fail.. then I think more mercenary rate is needed as well as more elite ones.