On The History Channel, Decoding The Past: SECRETS OF THE KORAN

On The History Channel, Decoding The Past: SECRETS OF THE KORAN

Part 1 Premieres Thursday March 2nd 9:00pm ET/PT

Part 2 Premieres Thursday March 9th 9:00pm ET/PT

NEW YORK, Feb. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The Koran is a sacred text that over one billion people live by. Muslims worldwide believe the Koran is God's guidance, a sourcebook to help believers follow the right path; but much of the non-Muslim world often sees the Koran as a text shrouded in mystery...and controversy. From its poetic and complex language, to its position on peace and violence, to its views on other religions, SECRETS OF THE KORAN will demystify and explain the text: where it came from, what it says, and what it means. SECRETS OF THE KORAN will air in two parts; Part 1 premieres March 2nd at 9:00pm ET/PT and Part 2 premieres March 9th at 9:00pm ET/PT only on The History Channel(R).

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051031/HISTORYLOGO )

This two part series will get at the heart of one of the world's most spiritual documents, capturing its majesty and mystery, while shedding light on the very foundation of Islam. According to the Muslim faith, during the seventh century the Prophet Muhammad received these revelations directly from God, and for 22 years, preached them to his people verbatim. It is within the Koran that these messages endure to this very day, addressing all spiritual and practical aspects of life: from calls to a belief in one God, to laws that guide society, to warnings about Divine Justice and the end of the world. The program will look at these verses, why they were revealed, how they were preserved, and their influence on modern life. Delving even deeper, it will explore the 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.

The messages in Islam's holy book have been used to launch some of the world's greatest civilizations but its interpretations have also been used as justification for acts of violence. SECRETS OF THE KORAN will examine the use of the word jihad, its meaning within the Koran, and how the concept has been used by others, most significantly, modern day Islamic radicals.

The program will also explore what role the Koran has played throughout Islamic history; from the 500 year reign of the Golden Age of Islam, to the legendary clashes of Muslim and Christian forces during the times of the Crusades, recognizing what great influence it had on the individuals living out these momentous events.

Executive Producer for The History Channel is Dolores Gavin. SECRETS OF THE KORAN PARTS 1 AND 2 are produced for The History Channel by Towers Productions.

Now reaching more than 88 million Nielsen subscribers, The History Channel(R), "Where History Lives," brings history to life in a powerful manner and provides an inviting place where people experience history personally and connect their own lives to the great lives and events of the past. The History Channel has earned six News and Documentary Emmy(R) Awards and received the prestigious Governor's Award from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for the network's "Save Our History(R)" campaign dedicated to historic preservation and history education. The History Channel web site is located at http://www.history.com/.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051031/HISTORYLOGO
Source: The History Channel

CONTACT: Katie Bradshaw of The History Channel, +1-212-210-9108,
katie.bradshaw@aetn.com

Web site: http://www.history.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information and photography please visit us on the web at http://www.historychannelpress.com.

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