Islam: Empire of Faith

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Islam: Empire of Faith

PBS Documentary on Islamic history and its contributions of the Islamic world

Available Now in DVD version (see below)

Between the fall of Rome and the European voyages of discovery, no event was more significant than the rise of Islam. Within a few centuries, the Islamic empires blossomed, projecting their power from Africa to the east Indies, and from Spain to India. Inspired by the words of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), and led by caliphs and sultans, this political and religious expansion remains unequaled in speed, geographic size and endurance. Islam: Empire Of Faith is narrated my Academy Award - winning actor Ben Kingsley.

This three-part series tells the spectacular story of the great sweep of Islamic power and faith during its first 1,000 years -- from the birth of the prophet Muhammad to the peak of the Ottoman Empire under the reign of Suleyman the Magnificent. The series includes Islamic history and culture, with emphasis on the contributions that Muslims have made in art, education, trade, science, medicine, and philosophy. Evocative re-enactments and a remarkable exposition of Islamic art, artifacts and architecture are combined with interviews with scholars from around the world to recount the rise and glory of early Islamic civilization. It is the epic story of a cultural empire that dominated a millennium, encompassed half the world and shaped history.

The documentary begins with ("The Messenger") by introducing the rise of Islam, and the extraordinary life of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), revelation of the Qur'an, persecution suffered by the early Muslims, the first mosques, and the rapid expansion of Islam.

The documentary pursues further with "The Awakening" by examining the growth of Islam into a world civilization. Through trade and education, how the Islamic influence extended into the world civilization. The documentary examines how Muslims made great achievements in architecture, medicine, and science, in addition to, influencing the intellectual development of the West. The story of the Crusades (re-enactments filmed in Iran) is also covered, by ending with the invasion of Islamic lands by the Mongols.

The final segment of the documentary ("The Ottomans") revisits the dramatic rise and fall of the Ottoman empire.

Muslim scholars, community leaders, and activists screened the film before the new documentary Islam: Empire of Faith aired on members stations of the U.S.-based Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) , and gave positive reports about its balance and accuracy. Islamic community leaders who viewed the documentary expressed appreciation for "the network's efforts to offer a balanced and accurate portrayal of Islamic history" (CAIR Board Chairman Omar Ahmad). The producer of the documentary, Robert Gardner, was also responsive to Muslim concerns about specific aspects of the film, in particular an artistic image of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) which was later removed.

Highly recommended viewing.

Length: 180 minutes on 2 tapes

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