Damascus, June 17, 2026 (SANA) As Muslims around the world mark the beginning of the Hijri New Year 1448 AH, the 1976 epic film The Message (Al-Risalah) remains one of the most influential cinematic portrayals of the rise of Islam and the events that shaped early Islamic history.
Directed and produced by Syrian-American filmmaker Moustapha Akkad, the film chronicles the emergence of Islam and key milestones in the life of Prophet Muhammad
without depicting him on screen, in accordance with Islamic tradition.
Released in separate Arabic- and English-language versions, the film was an international co-production involving Libya, Morocco, Lebanon, Syria and the United Kingdom. Its cast included Anthony Quinn, Irene Papas, Michael Ansara, Johnny Sekka and Michael Forest in the English-language version, alongside leading Arab actors including Abdullah Ghaith, Muna Wassef, Hamdi Ghaith, Sanaa Gamil and Mahmoud Said.
The narrative traces the beginnings of Islam in Mecca, the migration to Medina, the establishment of the first Muslim community, and major historical events including the Battles of Badr and Uhud, the peaceful conquest of Mecca and the Farewell Sermon. The film concludes with scenes of worshippers performing tawaf around the Holy Kaaba and images of mosques around the world.
Akkad began developing the project in 1967 and consulted Islamic scholars and religious institutions throughout production. Opening credits state that the film’s historical accuracy and fidelity were reviewed by Al-Azhar University in Cairo and the Higher Islamic Shiite Council in Lebanon. The production also emphasized respect for the Islamic tradition that prohibits visual representation of the Prophet.
Financed through contributions from Kuwait, Libya, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and the United States, the production ultimately cost about $17 million. Filming began in 1974 with a crew of 300, casts for both language versions and more than 5,000 extras. A replica of Mecca, reportedly costing $700,000, was constructed near Marrakesh for the production.
After filming was halted in Morocco in 1974, Akkad relocated production to Libya, where shooting continued until May 1975. The Arabic and English versions were filmed simultaneously using separate casts.
To avoid depicting the Prophet directly, Akkad employed point-of-view cinematography and lighting techniques to suggest his presence. The approach has since been widely cited as an innovative solution to portraying a central religious figure while respecting Islamic beliefs.
Ahead of its London premiere in 1976, the film’s title was changed from Mohammed, Messenger of God to The Message following security concerns and threats directed at a cinema scheduled to screen the production.
The film later faced bans in several countries, including Egypt, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. In 2017, a restored 4K version premiered at the Dubai International Film Festival and subsequently received a theatrical release in Saudi Arabia.
Although the film required approximately $35 million to break even, it earned around $5 million during its theatrical run, including about $2 million in the United States. Nevertheless, it gained international recognition and developed a lasting reputation as one of the most ambitious films ever produced on the origins of Islam.
The production also received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Score in 1977. The music, composed by Maurice Jarre and performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, lost to John Williams’ score for Star Wars.
The Arabic-language version helped bring international recognition to Syrian actress Muna Wassef for her portrayal of Hind bint Utba, one of the film’s most acclaimed performances.
Nearly 50 years after its release, The Message continues to occupy a unique place in world cinema, serving as a cultural and historical introduction to the early years of Islam and the events surrounding the Hijra, whose anniversary is marked each year by the Islamic New Year.
