The Art Of Paradise: Inside The World Of Islamic Art (Waldemar Januszczak Documentary) | Perspective

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This feature-length documentary examines Islam's rich and significant contribution to western art and culture
Presenter and art critic, Waldemar Januszczak, sets out on an epic journey of discovery across the Muslim world from Central Asia to the heart of the Middle East and beyond.
He reveals a world of awe-inspiring architecture, spectacular Islamic treasures and a host of artists and craftsmen, bringing the largely unknown and fascinating story of Islamic art and architecture to the attention of the public. Documentary first broadcast in 2005.
Perspective is KZbin's home for the arts. Come here to get your fill of great music, theatre, art and much, much more!
From Paradise Found
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[@timhall5256]

WJ, thanks for opening the heart and mind of this 68 yr old Kentucky boy!

[@joonbug13]

@Timhall52 I saw your comment just as I was about to comment on the same thing…I’m also from Kentucky so I had to say hi! Hope you are well.

[@shanamhollbertsalinas3622]

@@joonbug13 ⁴

[@shanamhollbertsalinas3622]

⅘⁵I I I I I I I I

[@cruisepaige]

Tim you are lovely!

[@joonbug13]

@@shanamhollbertsalinas3622 please don’t hate on me for this, but are you saying something mean, flashing gang signs? Please tell me what your numbers are saying?

[@DefneDance]

I'm so happy I watched this. I live in Istanbul for 7 years and never knew about that hidden mosque, the Rüstem Paşa Camii. I will go there soon and watch those tiles closely. I bought things in those shops underneath, fun to know that I contributed to maintenance! Lovely doc. I became obsessed with Waldemar's passionate presentation and unusual selection. Just lovely.

[@raeniedai9706]

I always wanted to go to Istanbul and see the Hage Sopfia

[@paigetomkinson1137]

For a long time now, I've been rather obsessed with Islamic tile patterns. Much of my artwork is rather flowing and freeform in comparison, but I have a particular love of detail and repetition, too (my heart leaped when I learned about tessellations along the lines of M C Escher). I have books about Islamic tiles and design, and which include examples of the incredible artworks, and some history. You might consider yourself lucky to be in Istanbul, where you can investigate the arts! I'd love to visit the city one day, and explore Istanbul and the entire Bosporus region, arts, culture, foods, music, etc.. It's one of my fantasy vacations. I can't agree more about Waldemar! I became acquainted with his art programs through Amazon, and not only were there not enough of them for me, some were removed, which made me quite sad. I'm delighted to have found this channel, and just hope that will bring us more of Waldemar's magical art instruction!

[@adrienneabraham4856]

0000

[@johnsarkissian5519]

Rüstem Pasa Mosque was built by the great Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan. He was an ethnic Armenian who as a young boy was taken from his Christian family by the government, made to convert to Islam in order to join the ranks of the Janissaries. (Christian boys were often forcibly taken away from Christian families, when the families could not pay their taxes which was imposed on religious minorities). Living a very long life (died at 98), Mimar Sinan is responsible for many architectural gems within Istanbul and elsewhere in the country. He is the main architect of the Top Kapi palace.

[@haplessasshole9615]

Have you visited the Rüstem Paşa Camii yet? It must be like discovering a lovely jewel under years of soil, finding a wonderful place where you didn't expect it.

[@wiseherb1426]

Tears in the first 2 minutes- I watch and love anything Waldemar makes!

[@ekincelik7877]

Same here!! It was so thoughtful for him to depict Islam and its culture in this way

[@phillipstroll7385]

Is he dying? He looks so unwell. Like he has a terminal illness

[@baylorsailor]

I was oddly emotional a couple minutes in. Caught me off-guard actually.

[@wendyfortune9080]

I absolutely love Waldemar Januszczak...he keeps everything interesting and I can watch them over and over again!

[@MichaelFlynn0]

I watch each show a couple of times..you pick up more the second go round.

[@datdame]

Absolutely adore Waldemar Januszczak. So informative as always.

[@traceypedigo6405]

He does it for me, as well.

[@veramont9880]

I have been watching every episode with close attention, learning so much about history and cultures and places. I enjoy the style of presentation, the enthusiasm, coupled with a critical understanding that Waldemar brings to every subject. In this one, I particularly appreciated the dedication at he end.

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

The mud mosque was brand new for me…how wonderful! And the relationship between the people and their mosque blew me away. Good thing are no flies in my house…I’ve spent most of this video dropping my jaw!

[@jonathansachs1979]

the best art history teacher/presenter in my book. edutainment at its best.

[@BarbieSkinner]

Wow. Thank you for the opening piece to camera. I haven't even watched the film yet and I wanted to comment. Something I don't normally do. I worked at Aldgate station then and was 10 min late to work that day, I had moved house and took the bus instead of my normal tube ride to work. I arrived just after the explosion. It shook me so much, I would have been in the tunnel with the victims. It was terrible but it should not have stopped your work. There are, unfortunately, extremists within so many sections of our world. The rest of the amazing people shouldn't have a shadow cast over their lives and cultures because of those extremists. I love the little I know about Islamic art and am looking forward to watching the rest of this. Thanks again.

[@ryanpalmer8232]

Kkkookk kill kkkookkkk lpp0pp I'll good No L No Llpl pp LL l Llp L0 ppl in just in Pp ppl l P 0 Pppll Ppl Ppp Lppl P

[@christiansantos7164]

Anytime that I want to explore something new I watch one of Walter’s documentaries. Thank you, my friend.

[@xpressvisa4720]

Brilliant, beautiful, informative, educational. Thank you Waldermar.

[@harrowgateguy]

I took an Islamic Art class in college in the 80’s The professor was well known especially for informing people that the oppression of women has no basis in the Islamic faith. He, his wife and pregnant daughter were brutally hacked to death during a home invasion while they were having dinner. His daughter’s unborn baby was miraculously saved. True Islamic culture is peaceful and full of beauty.

[@brainwashington1332]

so he got hacked to death for his unconventional views on Islam?

[@harrowgateguy]

@@brainwashington1332 yes he and his family. Islamic countries back in the 70’s looked very much like western countries with very few women wearing hijabs. The oppressive fundamentalist who came along later lied when they said it is required by Islam. It wasn’t so much that my teachers was telling us his views on how women should be treated, but he was telling us that oppressing women is not founded in the Islamic faith. He was very outspoken about this.

[@brainwashington1332]

@@harrowgateguy its because of Wahabism sponsored by Saudi oil money. It has afflicted much of the Muslim world, it is known Salafism, fundamentalism, extremism, but the media never calls it Wahabism because it hits too close to home as the US is an Saudi ally

[@GrimlyYours]

oh my goodness!! What an absolute shame; he sounded like an amazing person 😔💜

[@AvalonDreamz]

There are those who will twist religion into how THEY believe it should be instead of how it truly is in every religion it seems. The sad thing is they are the ones who are always highlighted and always used by those who wish to discredit faith as a whole or are the ways that attract those who just wish to be cruel or want to feel as if they can own another human life, so they follow the wrong teachings. They know deep down what they do is wrong, harming another is wrong, but they have their "religion" to cover up their hurtful, cruel deeds.

[@sunnyschiffman7346]

I've watched, and enjoyed, learned from, been enriched by, so many of your shows. This one is breathtakingly gorgeous. Thanks, Waldermar!

[@emanuel_soundtrack]

his accent makes everything sound like the most amazing thing ever

[@tatuzinhodomarape939]

É JAIR OU É JÁ ERA! PT NUNCA MAIS! EU VOTAREI EM BOLSONARO EM 2022!

[@emanuel_soundtrack]

@@tatuzinhodomarape939 eu tb haha

[@susanfleming2271]

Yes it does.

[@jordanbanton8842]

Yeah too bad hes a moron and knows nothing about history and timelines.

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

I had such a moment when I was 14. I loved the work of both CranachS. I was in California spending a summer with my father who was doing meteorological research on making rain. He discovered a Cranach the Younger Madonna and Child would be displayed in LA and took me there as a surprise. The light in the fruit left me transfixed, tears pouring down my face and only able to say so beautiful,over and over. I’m 70 and I still remember that light.

[@HelloBeautifulPurrson]

Ended up here due to another KZbin rabbit hole. I fell asleep in Ancient History and woke up here. Watched/listened to this whole thing and it was the last paragraph or two that really spoke to me. Starting at 1:40:45. That very last sentence though!! "To go all dark and miserable in your art is to waste your artistic time." Mic drop! Excellent documentary. Thank you.

[@raymondj8768]

SAME HERE LMAO !! its crazy the shit we wake up to sometimes im like wtf hahahahaha

[@RU3YJB]

I have studied on my own, and I'm so glad Waldemar sees things in this art that I do also. He has put it into English words so well.

[@GlobalSecularism]

Great documentary. Surprisingly, the Islamic Art of the Islamic (moor) Spain has been ignored. Anyway, worth every second. Keep up the good work.

[@juliajanssens8432]

Excellent narrator: brilliantly explained. Really love to see where you have been, what you have seen.

[@noralababidi743]

As a Muslim thank you for superb document. Learned new facts.

[@deeanndespain4770]

Inspiring, beauty. Colorful, interesting and awesomely done.

[@julietaaboka3285]

Thanks for the closing remarks, comparing the attitude of the Islamic artists with that of some artists in the Christian world, it gave me food for thought! Also, thanks for pointing out the uniqueness of the Blue Mosque's atmosphere and the specificity of Sinan's architecture, it was like a curtain being removed from my eyes! Finally, so generous and touching to dedicate this documentary to all humble, unknown Islamic artists! Thanks for this example of high ethical standard!

[@victoriadiesattheend.8478]

The comments on this are horrific. Can we not simply enjoy the incredible age of that which has survived, the beauty of what we can still enjoy? Forget opinions on religion or critiquing the host. Just look at what you see. The hostility among the ppl watching ruins everything.

[@St.Linguini_of_Pesto]

I've watched a number of programs in which Islamic art was the topic. I have discovered that these artworks - whether painted, sculpted or tiled - all so aesthetically beautiful, almost relaxing. The colors are so vivid, thousands of years after the artworks had been created. Absolutely _beautiful.._ thank you for this film. Omar Khayyaim, the 13th warrior. It is eye opening to learn that rebellion is a common human trait. Life affirming, really.. so, I'm assuming that all the good & the bad (we cannot have the one without the other] that humanity has trudged through over the centuries will go on & on. Wheels keep turning. I am heartbroken, seeing the destruction of the 600+ year old tiled structures. For shame.

[@AvalonDreamz]

Flying Spaghetti Monster forever!!

[@turkiyeforyou]

The story Waldemar told is just adorable! Thank you for the film ❤

[@edwardnewgate2198]

I’m 1 hour into this, and man it is so well made that I don’t want it to end🔥🔥🔥

[@Ffia]

It's been more than a decade that I watched this on TV. Waldemar's delivery and passion for the arts inspire most deeply an admiration of his work. Thanks for sharing!

[@curtisantonieospears3885]

Absolutely Fantastic Islamic Artistry. Love it.

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

I’ve loved Persian medieval art since childhood…as a little girl I thought it magical…and it still is for me. To attack that art oh my…religious extremism leads to such destruction.

[@paigetomkinson1137]

Oh, that scene of the destruction was an arrow in my heart! I am not a religious person, but I can say that kind of wanton ruination is a Sin. The same one committed by the Taliban in Afghanistan, Daesh/ISIS erasing and destroying Assyrian art with power tools, 18th century Europeans crushing Roman sculptures/buildings to make lime, Emperor Theodosius having all "pagan" temples razed, the so-called Conquistadors melting down gold and silver artifacts, the army of the USSR desecrating and demolishing arts and literature from Chinese antiquity, the settlers of the Western Hemisphere from Canada to Argentina wiping out indigenous languages, religion, art, etc. To my non-religious being, it's all sinful.

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

Humans have a deepest propensity for destruction…and we do nothing to teach our offspring how to manage it, to be humane nit just human.

[@jessicasuprunowicz2975]

WJ, all your documentaries are incredible you have taught me so much I watch them over and over. Your passion is inspiring and eye opening. Thank you

[@nathaliecarriere1]

Brilliant! This should be mandatory viewing in all "Western Universities of Art and Design".

[@adamgorelick3714]

Waldemar Janusczcac is rightfully a favourite - almost a celebrity himself - among art and history enthusiasts. His passion, rich knowledge, and humour illuminates the beauty that we're able to bring to the world when not succumbing to the barbarism of civilization.

[@Lostinthehusslebussle]

Thankyou..Great hard work from you to bring it to the world 🌎

[@darrellkr]

LOVE all this! I learn something new all the time! Thank-you for this program!

[@michellepollock9804]

He is just so lovable.

[@pooryorick831]

Imagine having a career crisscrossing the globe to visit amazing art and teaching others about it. I admire Waldemar. He has taught me so much about a subject I have studied and loved for decades. I also envy him. A lot. But I am grateful that he brought so much great art and delivered it to me here. For that he deserves all our thanks.

[@danyelnicholas]

In fact, the entirety of this film is admirable. Thank you for sharing this! Quite a wonderful introduction to the subject, a bit architecture-heavy but avoiding all those dreadful received ideas that usually keep westerners from enjoying this cornucopia. The prevailing aesthetic concept of 'paradise on earth' is actually what has drawn me towards antique rugs and book-art decades ago and kept refreshing me ever since.

[@AnnMarieKing]

Dismayed by all the hatred in the comments. All great human civilisations have expressed themselves through the arts. All great civilisations have expanded their influence and wealth through the conquest and destruction of others. All great civilisations have lost their way through hubris, excess, complacency and greed. This is as true of Christianity as of Islam. The whole point of 'Perspective' is to share engaging information and insights on how visual art historically reflected the life, times and aspirations of those captured within it and those who made it from one expert point of view. Love the series!

[@victoriap1561]

I think people react that way because nowadays a lot of western culture and art is vilified because of colonialism but muslims doing the exact same thing is kind of sugarcoated by liberal intellectuals , At the same time muslims are vilified by conservatives. The hypocrisy is annoying from both sides.

[@d.c.8828]

Such an excellent and insightful program!

[@mikeny5020]

🤢🤮👎

[@melly1432]

@@mikeny5020 why?

[@amyper0012]

Thank you for the lovely introduction.

[@pilotactor777]

Brilliant stuff. Fell asleep to it...amazing images in my dreams thanks to your descriptions. Rewatched this morning.

[@gonorrheadischarges3021]

Zzzz

[@mamasmurf7830]

Thank you for this! 🥰

[@MickAngelhere]

Brilliant, it brings back memories of when I was in India and Iran over thirty years ago 👍

[@43painter]

Great docu ! Whenever I hear Malinese music my spirit is lifted úp and my gloomy heavy mood evaporates.

[@gwadartraveller7622]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2jYmq2Fe8qKiac

[@susanmercurio1060]

I feel the same way about Ecuadorian music.

[@chacesimpson2856]

mandingo music is the best

[@JamesSmith-ui2hv]

when I hear that music it make think that someone is going to lose his head

[@43painter]

@@JamesSmith-ui2hv That's what makes music so interesting. Every one has her or his very own associations with it.

[@andreakirkby]

The Larkin quote was superbly unexpected. And Rustem Pasha mosque is one of my favourites. Excellent video, informative and wide-ranging.

[@dkcorderoyximenez3382]

This video documentary was sensational....thank you...!!!

[@Faisel00]

You made us look and admire into details of Islamic architecture. Thank you Waldemar

[@mikemorrison270]

This was an excellent documentary. I enjoyed every minute.

[@firstnamelastname-ew6oo]

Thank you for your contribution to people other than yourself, I am humbled but your ability to not give into hatred and march on.

[@davidcollins2648]

Even Art History Phd's can learn from Waldemar. A true genius of explanation and presentation.

[@cherylslane9727]

Stunning art of the east. Breathtaking and beautiful to say the least.👌👑

[@jomama5186]

This is so beautiful. It's going in my favorites!

[@carolsharma8190]

I had Stendhal Syndrome a few decades ago amid the rounded gold walls of St. Mark's in Venice. I am glad it has a name, I always wondered what had happened.

[@khanu.s.a6091]

You have an amazing style of commentary. Superb documentary. I think you have chosen the right background music that stirs the inner feelings and mood and makes the the work even great.

[@dawncole551]

I love ur documentaries 🤗 Thank u soo much 😘🌻

[@marchgregoroff4605]

Thank you. I've seen this before,... I could see it a hundred times more.

[@mari-atonjalkanen9920]

Thank Ilahe and Waldemar for this very fine programme!

[@wyleong4326]

Wow, I hope I can get through this one. The narration is bonkersly amazing. No one talks like this anymore.

[@delzworld2007]

Thankfully, there are still many highly informative interesting documentaries made. Suggest you boycott the mass media rubbish that sadly litters the internet.

[@prtrainor]

A great eye opening documentary. Thank you.

[@wuztherebinthere]

Another wonderful exploration by Waldy. I find his perspectives always interesting and illuminating. This doc added a greater understanding, for me, of Islamic dynasties and their use, integration of art into their lives. I always enjoy immensely his pov in understanding and appreciation of art and its origins and influences.

[@dennispepperack2973]

Dziekuje bardzo, Waldemar!

[@danyelnicholas]

Excellent introduction, hitting the nail on the head!

[@lilianaprina5991]

Truly different from anything I had seen before. Yet, it is beautiful and creative in many ways. Thanks for your video.

[@jonathaneffemey944]

Thanks for posting

[@glennawilliams6872]

Thank you walderman I've learned and loved 💕 many different things I enjoy watching your episodes

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

Thank you so much for this.

[@dianneledford3681]

Oh wow that's heart wrenching to see the desecrated buildings and the men destroying the minarets with the chisels and all the missing tiles an beautiful colors are being tore away so sad 😢😭

[@simonkelesidis9041]

Such a wonderful and beautiful culture. One must realise that Islamic culture was the foundation of much of European culture. Janette Iacuone.

[@jpkatz1435]

W. J. and Co. Would love a "behind the scenes" this is how the MAGIC is made, video.The work is superb. Thankyou

[@mahanslt9110]

Thank you for your great work.

[@elvinjonas5451]

Great video with wonderful music! Thanks.

[@dannyhutt]

Thank you, Mr Januszczak for an incredible tour of world art. The whole Perspective series does an incredible job of conveying the context of art - culture, religion and politics.

[@lilianaprina5991]

you are fortunate to be able to travel so much around the world. You are truly blessed.

[@wendytube007]

I’m at the part of the documentary where they are in Damascus, every face I see I think you have no understanding of the horrors your will see in less than 10 years.

[@SilvaMorasten]

yeah I thaught the same :(

[@naillijseer]

😢

[@TorMax9]

The most mind-blowingly beautiful structure I have ever visited - and I've visited quite a few all around the world - is the Alhambra near Granada, Spain. The setting, the water, the calligraphy. I was there in early January surrounded by snowcapped mountains. A dream come true. Heaven on earth.

[@dylanomara2437]

6 years later that introduction was amazing, some thing we don’t see often or at all. I took away from that, instead of division ill show something that we can all come together with. Love not war.

[@Jessica-kk1cz]

Dylan O’Mara, Well said! I thought the same thing. Cheers from me, Jessica O’Mara (LOL, but true).

[@dylanomara2437]

@@Jessica-kk1cz wow I’ve never met another O’Mara besides my family, can I guess where you live lol. America, Wales or England.

[@Jessica-kk1cz]

@@dylanomara2437 Indeed! Our name is more rare than some other Irish names. I’ve never met another O’Mara either, other than close relatives. We’re in the US. Our family is on 23andme and Ancestry, too. My great grandparents were from Cork and Western counties in Ireland and came over (more out of necessity than choice) originally to Massachusetts. Later, they settled in NYC, then later the Philadelphia area, and then my immediate family came to the Washington DC area many years ago, and we’ve been here since. Most of our family are still in the Philly, New Jersey area, though a few folks went west to California and then, again, there’s my smaller family in DC. I’ve read our name means "merry", which sounds about right, since we love to making jokes and laughing and making other folks laugh, though we also have our more reflective side, too, and love learning about other folks, cultures, arts, sciences and technologies. Maybe that’s why we both ended up on this video about this beautiful Islamic art, and we both noticed and made comments about the narrator’s thoughts about the world events at the time, and the importance that folks not generalize the events of that day to the entirety of Islamic folks and culture. Could be a little more than random coincidence we ended up in that same place … 😉

[@dylanomara2437]

@@Jessica-kk1cz Our family name got changed when we moved to Ireland from Wales due to there being “to many of you”… I regret to say I have forgotten the original family name but it’s something like O’Phara. I know my pop’s family moved to America from Ireland so that would be interesting to find out. Find me on fb if you want my names the same living in New Zealand.

[@1RealRoyalPain]

I love your videos. You have such a wonderful way of presenting and brining this amazing art history to life. I would have given my eye teeth to have has an art professor like you for my art history classes. You make it easy to fall in love with this otherwise dry subject.

[@ssvemuri]

Enchanting (including the music bits)

[@FredHandle1]

This vid is quite good & concise.

[@stephenphillips4609]

I saw this when it came out...beautiful film, nicely explained

[@carolmiller5713]

Pre-covid I'd been traveling around the world after retiring. The only must see on my "Asia tour" was the Taj Mahal - a tribute of a man's love for his departed wife. While in Mumbai, preparing to go, I was notified by a friend in Kerala that covid was just detected there. I had to make the very tough decision that I should not take the 3 - 5 days to go & sadly, returned home. I keep it on my list to see it one day... Until then I thank Perspective and Waldemar for bringing this to me. ❤ I've been to many muslim countries & while the art, architecture & history are stunning the people were absolutely incredible.

[@powersprouter]

💖 incredible insight thank you

[@amelrekaik1567]

Thank you for making this,, but I think Islamic artistic contribution in Spain was messed here. A second part of the documentary, maybe! Again,, thank you so much

[@unbanned6175]

It's unfortunate so much was destroyed by fellow muslims

[@alaamostafa4656]

Amazing, thank you very much

[@Nafosat_Toshtemirova]

Thank you for this episode. I am from Uzbekistan, born and raised in Samarkand! You were so so right to pinpoint how they ruined centuries old architecture of Shahi Zinda! Great episode! As you said the Islamic Art remains true but the politics is temporary (including these “preparations” for celebration of the Independence Day!

[@genevievedolan1288]

Did they try to renovate it ? Is that why they were doing that? Is it restored or rebuilt now? It was so sad to see them hacking away at those beautiful tiles. I wonder did people try and keep little pieces for themselves?

[@anitaclarke3795]

You look and sound like Jon Oliver ... thank you for the wonderful tour !

[@vershawnsea9219]

Lol

[@tlcservisesfbtm2271]

Very beautiful. It's an excellent documentary on the subject. I only wish that Alhambra in Granada also was covered. Or is it considered not significant enough in terms of artistic representative value ?

[@LaTigerGenesis]

this series, from the presentation down to the music, is remarkably rich. glad youtube finally suggested this ;-)

[@ivankaleoniefuchs333]

giggles...No one at KZbin suggested this video...for at least 3 reasons I know. KZbin's algorithm simply records your interests for their owner Google spies, then posts videos similar to your past preferences. If you watch even 1 video about Sharia Law Moon-Cult then KZbin's algorithm will post more for you to bask und wallow.

[@kiwitrainguy]

@@ivankaleoniefuchs333 Yes, it's how we get "Echo Chambers".

[@lilianaprina5991]

Buildings for the mosques are fascinating, what a miraculous construction full of many styles. Outstanding spaces so large with high ceilings. I have not ever enter a mosque is beautiful to see them in your video.

[@pilotactor777]

Fascinating and beautiful people.......only showing kindness. " Im in tears.... @ afghanistan.

[@Merrymangoes]

Most enjoyable , another good documentary , thankyou

[@traceypedigo6405]

That is an awesome piece of info, on the paint color, on the tiles. Close to a rust or brick color. Cool.( I'm an artist.) I actually know a guy who could come very very close to mixing that color.

[@T0Mdisstroya]

The architect knowledge of building holy places like art, gets back to pre monotheism times and is based on the sacret geometry of nature & that all is mathematics

[@Nighthawk799]

Addicted. I have become addicted to these documentaries.

[@Timur18056]

Wonderful- thank you for sharing.

[@huahindan]

Thank you for this!

[@angelcathairs]

Very touching opening monologue. Almost had a 😢

[@jomama5186]

I LOVE that shirt q little after 42:00, wow!!!!

[@faribamirshahi9333]

I love your program and enjoyed every episode very informative and simply explained. Even though I understand you are covering the art of Islam, however, in this episode I noticed few discrepancies, such as 1001 night stories is Persian stories got nothing to do with Egyptian. Also before Islam invaded Persia, university existed in Persia in few cities especially in a than large city named Nishaboor. Islam burned Persian written books and forced people and the scientists and poets like Omar khayyam to speak and write in Arabic only otherwise they would be punished or even killed. That's why the western countries knowingly or unknowingly use the same brush for Persians and Arabs. Even though IRAN is a Islamic country but we're still very different from Arabs. Love your program.

[@AvalonDreamz]

Thank you for the info, I truly had no idea. I feel like when it comes to these places you discussed people in the west for some weird reason seem to lump all these places, people, cultures, religion in such condensed forms that you loose individuality & the vast differences in the people. Because it seems to me (and my very limited knowledge😊) things are very different from one area to the next.

[@alexrichardson9125]

What a fantastic video! Even that is an understatement. Your enthusiasm and research is very obvious. Thank you.

[@delzworld2007]

I have had the good fortune to see some of the places in this superb documentary, but alas ...... never Samarkand.