Glories of Islamic Art

Total Seasons :1Total Episodes : 3

Professor Akbar Ahmed explore the architectural splendor of Islamic heritage and the profound connection between artistry and religious expression in Islam.

Episodes(3)

Episode 1

1. Episode 1

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.

Air Date : 2006-11-28

Episode 2

2. Episode 2

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.

Air Date : 2006-12-05

Episode 3

3. Episode 3

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.

Air Date : 2006-12-12