About this season
Professor Akbar Ahmed explore the architectural splendor of Islamic heritage and the profound connection between artistry and religious expression in Islam.
Episodes (3)
1. Episode 1
Aired 28 November 2006
Explores the achievements of the first Islamic dynasty, the Umayyads, who established their capital at Damascus. Their regime spread throughout greater Syria and they left a rich architectural heritage. This includes two of the great surviving Islamic buildings, the Great Mosque of Damascus and the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem.
2. Episode 2
Aired 5 December 2006
We move on to Cairo, the cockpit of the early Islamic struggles between Sunni and Shi’a faiths. Cairo displays the glories of two of the great Islamic regimes – the Shi’ite Fatimids who swept in from the North African desert – and the Mamluks, slave soldiers who overthrew their masters to set up their own Sunni dynasty. Both have left behind impressive evidence of their strength.
3. Episode 3
Aired 12 December 2006
Explores the last great Islamic dynasty, the Ottomans, and their great capital at Istanbul. The two dominating buildings of historic Istanbul are the Blue Mosque and Haghia Sophia.