About the Legacy of Peace Documentary

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 rationale for co-existence among all faiths and all people.

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

A Partial List of Contents:

– Fundamental belief; the meaning of submission; the early collaboration between Muslims and Christians and Muslims and Jews; the Revelation “read” and the opening of the fields of learning;

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

– State vs. religion; denouncing terrorism, eradication of violence, Jihad and war; peace and mercy are at the root 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; the invention of the clock, the camera, and the check; optics and mathematics; shipbuilding, 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.

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.

The Story of How the Legacy of Peace Documentary Started

Although a documentary expressing the dignity and ingenuity of Islam was long-due before the horrific event of 9/11, the need for making one was a must after 9/11, 2001.

The decision to make a documentary on genuine and mainstream 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 agreement was in December 2001.

After the equipment purchase and transported to an old shaggy small trailer where Mr. Taylor lived, it was discovered that the place was not suitable for the equipment. The next area was at Mr. Burhan’s car garage, where the documentary was finally developed.

Major Setbacks

As beginners producing the two-hour documentary film, there were many ups and downs throughout. The worst of these setbacks was the time Mr. Taylor, halfway into production, was unable to continue his job for some legal issues concerning his private life. The project then was in 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 its producer, Mr. Akkad’s death during the horrific terrorist bombing in Amman, Jordan in November 2005. Before this incident, Mr. Burhan and Mr. Akkad had a 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 works of art paintings depicting the early history of Islam.

After five years of labor of love at the cost of over $400,000, the film was finally available. Mr. Burhan and his friends provided the extra funding.

Easy and Pleasant

The Legacy of Peace documentary comes face to face with most of the Islamic-related subjects pertinent to this day. “Fear of the unknown” would be significantly reduced as mainstream Islam and Muslim topics were brought to light.

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

The film presents 18 experts from the world’s three major religions and chronological Timelines, CGI Animated Maps and Graphics, Footage featuring scenes from around the globe, and Original Works of Art. Here is the name list of these religious leaders and eminent scholars:

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