ISLAM: EMPIRE OF FAITH, a three-part series, re-creates the spectacular sweep of Islamic power and faith during its first 1,000 years, from Muhammad's birth to the Ottoman Empire under Suleyman the Magnificent. Evocative re-enactments and art, artifacts, and architecture combine with scholarly interviews to recount the rise and glory of Islamic civilization. DVD includes behind-the-scenes look at the making of ISLAM and producer's commentary
Islam: Empire of Faith is the epic PBS documentary that charts the history of Islam from its beginnings in Mecca and Medina in the seventh century to the glory of the Ottoman Empire 1,000 years later.
The demonization of Islam by the West has a long history, stretching back to the First Crusade at the end of the 11th century. This documentary redresses the balance by showing the riches of Islamic culture and the vital role played by Islam in preserving and building upon ancient wisdom from East and West at a time when most of Europe was stumbling through the Dark Ages. Muslim physicians, mathematicians, and astronomers stretched the boundaries of human knowledge, and Muslim architects created some of the most beautiful buildings in the world.
Islam also offers fascinating insights into key personalities, from Muhammad himself--a simple merchant whose vision of a single deity forged warring tribes into a nation--to great conquerors such as Mehmed and Suleyman, who presided over an empire that stretched from Spain to India. The faith itself is clearly explained, and interviews with historians and religious scholars bring home both its simplicity and the way that it survived huge cultural changes (like the Mongol invasions of the 13th century) to emerge stronger than ever. Islam has often been misunderstood in the West, but this splendid documentary helps to set the record straight. --Simon Leake
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
Energy !!!:
Islam is not only a religion!!!
Islam is not only a religion!!!
Islam is not only a religion!!!
Islam is Energy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Zeyad
staid, purposefully stilted, but informative.:
Colorful and informative, "Islam: Empire of Faith" is really about a major branch of Islamic Civilization, and less about Islam the faith. The approach is a bit staid, which isn't unusual given that it's a PBS documentary. However it still provides a lot of information - information one rarely gets outside of academic circles - and as such serves as a kind of balance for the highly negative view of Islamic culture that predominates in the West. That said I do agree with those that point out that the... more info
Deep drilling into Islam:
This DVD shows the points of view of many professors and specialists about Islam. It also shows the begining of Islam and how was it prevalenced through Mecca. The DVD talks about the difficulties of the journey of the prophet Mohammad (pbuh), and then the triumph of spredaing Islam in the Arabian peninsula, and then to the whole wide world.
Not so much:
Covering most of the Islamic era history in a shallow way, and choosing deliberately an actors with bad look to represent muslims in such a barbaric look. I dont advice to see it, will add only bad imprission about islam.
