

In sixth-century Mecca, Prophet Muhammad receives his first revelation from God as a messenger. Three years later, he's not alone in his quest and publicly declares his prophecy. Muhammad is fought by Abu Sufian and his wife Hind, rulers of Mecca. Muhammad's followers are hunted and tortured but he continues his calling.
Direction
Akkad's POV camera as Muhammad — never seen, always present.
Cinematography
Maurice Jarre's score over endless sand — pure cinematic dehydration.
Production
Shot twice: Arabic AND English versions, different casts, same scale.

Director
Moustapha Akkad
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The film sparked fatal riots in 1977 when Houthi protesters in Washington D.C. mistakenly believed Muhammad was depicted on screen — he never is. The scene they heard about was actually Hamza's death.
Moustapha Akkad, a Syrian-American producer, spent his entire career trying to bridge Muslim and Western audiences — this passion project and Halloween, which he also produced, represent his two worlds.