The rise and fall of the medieval Islamic Empire

In the 7th century CE, the prophet Muhammad united the people of the Arabian Peninsula through the formation of Islam. Over the next 30 years, caliphs conquered vast areas beyond Arabia, including their mighty neighbors the Persians and Byzantines. But an empire this vast was at risk of conflict and fracture. Petra Sijpesteijn and Birte Kristiansen detail the rise and fall of the Islamic Empire. [Directed by Elahe Baloochi, Fardi Mahmoodi, narrated by Safia Elhillo, music by Stephen LaRosa].