Secrets of the Koran
(DVD)

Originally broadcast as episodes of the television series Decoding the Past on The History Channel.

Part one: Director of photography, Greg Gricus; editors, Emil Enev, Neal Oswald ; original music, Steve Mullen ; guitar and electric oud, Fareed Haque ; consultants, Maysam Al Farudi, Farid Znaidia. Muhammad: Editor, Katie Smith ; researcher, Nicki Woodard ; original music, Linda Martinez ; calligraphy by Hassan Al-Rawi.

Part one: Narrator, Edward Herrmann ; commentators, Akbar Ahmed, Jonathan Brockopp, Reza Aslan, Andrew Rippin, Irfan Omar, Sherman A. Jackson, John Esposito, Jane McAuliffe, Richard Bulliet, Wadad Kadi, Fred Donner, Mahmoud Ayoub, Tariq Ali. Part two: Khaled About El Fadi, Carole Hillenbrand, Thomas Madden.

Muhammad: Narrated by Steven Friedman ; commentators, Muqtedar Khan, Karen Armstrong, John Esposito, Hibbra Abugideiri, Fred Donner, Seyyed Hossein Nasr, Khaled Abou El Fadl, Anjum Mir.

For some billion people worldwide, it is the Holy Scripture, the word of God and his prophet. For others, it is no more than a historical artifact that has left an indelible imprint on the world. It is the Koran. This film examines the history of the work that many outside Islam find impenetrable and mysterious, and explores the striking similarities and differences between the Koran and the Bible--and the ways in which Muslims believe the Koran corrects some of the Jewish and Christian scriptures. Leading religious scholars, Islamic scholars, and holy men detail the history of the Koran from the Golden Age of Islam to the modern rise of jihadism. This film provides a guide to understanding the fundamental work that has shaped the Muslim faith for over 1,400 years, and continues to influence modern history.

DVD; Dolby Digital stereo.

Soundtrack in English.