m-ozfirat This is a much needed documentary especially these days on Islam a religion strongly misunderstood for the ordinary person and a good introduction to the history of Islamic civilisation where you can find rooms dedicated too in all the great Museums of the world. The mostly positive aspects about this documentary is that it covers all the general areas of major Islamic history to get an understanding of the religion and its principles with its contribution to world civilisation and history with easy to follow information and structure on its development dually as religion and distinct civilisation especially the first and second episodes and a good overall conclusion at the end of the series. The critical aspects is that it is also short and should of had an extra episode about the situation of Islam today with the fall of the Ottoman empire and the rise and results of Political Islam in a post-colonial age. The documentary should of also added more social improvements Islam brought to the Arab tribes. The Ottoman episode was good but it should of made a reference to other Mongol states that founded Islamic empires such as the Timurids and explained briefly this new Imperial tradition from its Arab predecessor. For those who think the documentary is a Eulogy or full of anachronisms they are mistaken. It does make references to gripping negative aspects and these are clearly but briefly said you just have to listen and understand in a wider and proper context of the times and not be judgemental which determines your academic understanding and not just a casual interest. The commentators are expert academics mostly non-Muslim so this is not Propaganda to counter the negative politics of today. I highly recommend this documentary for a general understanding to a great civilisation that even Muslims have forgotten.

hithere30052 I loved every bit of this documentary, I was really eager to know the genesis and the expansion of Islam. I would recommend this movie/documentary for anyone who wants to have an insight on Islam. And i would also recommend it seeing on a big screen TV. Also the narration by Ben Kingsley is phenomenal.Not many people know that Kingsley is a Muslim ( born to an Indian Muslim Father and British Mom).In this present era, with everything thats been said on TV, this is a great eye-opener for the most beautiful religion of the world. For anyone and everyone to know the history and the truth , i highly recommend.

JimPearson This documentary is an excellent introduction to those aspect of Islam which is covers. Unfortunately it is far too limited in scope but I understand why this is. With a fixed amount available for production costs the choice was either coverage in depth of a small part of the whole or a diluted coverage of a wider range of topics.It covers, at about 50 minutes each, three aspects of the religion: Mohammed and the origins, the culture and the first Christian crusade, and the Ottoman empire. Each is given excellent coverage but it is very much a secular description rather than a religious one. For those people who have little knowledge of Islam except for exposure to the western propaganda and the news of Islamic terrorist (a minute minority of the whole) this is an eye-opening documentary. Everyone should know about the rich cultural heritage which kept alive intellectual pursuits during the dark ages of western Europe. The sections on the Ottoman empire and the fall of Constantinople is well covered and provided some information I was not familiar with.The photography is also excellent, showing some of the wonderful architectural achievements of the early Muslims. I was not clear how much of the footage was of real life situations being recorded, how much was scripted for the production, or how much (if any) was extracted from other footage, but the blend results in a well-balance, instructive video.Highly recommended for everyone, especially those whose exposure to Islam is only that which is portrayed by the USA media.

CaeserOct0 This is a very good documentary and shows the more fair image of Islam not commonly seen in the West, of a religion that was flourished in culture, science, and art. It also shows its more violent parts in history. Nevertheless, I find that it ends all too abruptly and it fails to comment on any contemporary issues about Islam, which I guess would have made this documentary too long.If you are interested in Islam, find yourself a copy of this and watch as it is entertaining and informative.Especially at this time, it is necessary for Western audiences to learn more about Islam.