It is about time someone produced a state of the art documentary uncovering the true purpose and essence of Islam.

Filled with facts, history and scholarly presentations, Legacy of Peace documentary is a pure concentration on the inner-dimensions of Islam, Muslims partake in this civilization and the rational for co-existence among all faiths and all people.

Pleasure to watch, Legacy of Peace provides much needed education to remove the darkness befalling Islam after the tragic event of 9/11.

Here is a partial list of its contents:

– Basic belief; meaning of submission; the early collaboration between Muslims and Christians and Muslims and Jews; the Revelation “read” and the plane of learning;

– Prophet Muhammad’s mission (knowledge, wisdom and Inner-self- purification); People of the Book; Sirah of the Prophet; Shari’ah a community law and protection; the Prophet’s rationality; the Constitution of Madinah and urban development of the city;

– State vs. religion; denouncing terrorism, eradication of violence,  Jihad and war; peace and mercy the roots of every principle; reconciliation and diplomacy; Muhammad’s marriages; the penal system;

– Saladin and the Crusaders; liberation and dignity of women; polygamy;

– Establishment of worldwide trade; invention of the clock, the camera and the check; optics and mathematics; ship building, navigation and geography; municipal administration and the fraternity of all people

The Director and Producer

The film is directed by Mr. Faysal Burhan and produced by the Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies, IAIS, Los Angeles, California.

Mr. Burhan is the author of the book, The Solution to the Muslim Crisis and a co-founder of IAIS and an Electrical Engineer by profession. Inspired by his deep religious faith Mr. Burhan wrote the script and crafted the documentary film.

How It All Started

Although a documentary expressing the dignity and ingenuity of Islam was due long before the horrific event of 9/11, but the need for making one was a must after 9/11.

The decision to make a documentary on genuine Islam started during an Eid luncheon, when Mr. Burhan discussed the idea with Mr. Donovon Taylor, a videographer student, who was filming the events of the Eid.

Both agreed and a deal was drafted between them, whereby Mr. Burhan would provide the script and editing equipment, in return Mr. Taylor will develop the film. This was in December 2001.

After the equipment was purchased, it was transported to an old shaggy small trailer where Mr. Taylor lived.  Later on it was discovered that the place was not suitable for the equipment. The next place was a car garage at Mr. Burhan’s house, where the documentary was finalized and developed.

Major Setbacks

As beginners producing two-hour documentary film there was many ups and downs throughout. The worst of these setbacks was the time Mr. Taylor, half way into production, was unable to continue his job for some legal issues concerning his private life. The project then was at a limbo. Mr. Burhan had to hire videographers, editors, animators, voice- over artists, etc. to finish the job, yet there was no budget considering all of this.

Another difficulty Mr. Burhan had to face was the replacement of 13 minutes of background footage from the film, The Message, for copyright issue after Mr. Akkad’s death during the horrific bombing in Amman, Jordan. Prior to this incident, Mr. Burhan and Mr. Akkad had verbal understanding to use the footage.

Thus, for the next several months, Mr. Burhan was searching for an alternative background until he found a good artist, AFAFA in Syria, who would draw for him the backgrounds. For the next 12 months, the artist drew nearly 125 original work of art paintings depicting the early history of Islam.

After five year labor of love at the cost of over $400,000, the film was finally available. The funding was provided by Burhan’s family and friends.

Easy and Pleasant

Legacy of Peace documentary comes face to face with most of the subjects pertinent to this day. “Fear of the unknown” would be greatly reduced as Islam and Muslim’s topics are brought to light.

A pleasure to watch, easy to view, the two-hour documentary is made into four 30 minutes parts. Each part is further divided into chapters; easy for classrooms use, policy makers, public and private sectors, and for all people with all backgrounds.

The film presents 18 experts from the worlds three major religions and chronological Time-lines, CGI Animated Maps and Graphics, Footage featuring scenes from around the world and Original Works of Art. Here is the name list of these imminent leaders and scholars:

Robert Schuller, PhD, Sheik Salah Koftaru, PhD, John Esposito, PhD, Paul Tunkle, PhD, Muzamil Siddiqi, PhD, Rabbi Reuven Firestone, PhD, Hassan Hathout, M.D, Rabbi Ira Book, Imam W. Deen Mohammed, Ingrid Mattson, PhD, Imam Basher Arafat, PhD, Kasem Khaleel, M.D, Amir Husain, PhD, Afaf Morsot, PhD, Moustafa al-Qazwini, PhD, Nancy Lydick PhD and Sharon Kugler.

For more information about this film, please visit http://www.legacyofpeace.net, and http://www.islamic-study.org.

Watch the full film here.