UPF's film, Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet had an unexpectedly far-reaching impact on viewers worldwide. Here are some examples of some reactions to the film from around the world.
- The United States Embassy in Uzbekistan's Muhayo Aliyeva and Embassy Press shared, "The Embassy was looking for a way to mark the month of Ramadan. We decided to show Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet and have Alex Kronemer join us on Skype for a discussion afterward. We had a wonderful discussion and coverage on one of the most popular websites in Uzbekistan. We were able to show the film in Uzbek, which allowed us to reach a wider audience, including filmmakers, students, journalists, and scholars and to create opportunities to reach out to the wider Muslim community. The feedback was excellent."
- Denmark struggled to create understanding and awareness of Muslims and their history. In September 2005, cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad ran in a Danish newspaper, offending Muslims internationally. In the aftermath of this event, "an Egyptian woman with Danish connections approached DR – Danish Television, and within a few weeks, the film was subtitled and offered for national primetime broadcast. UPF was fortunate to be able to play a role in turning this negative into a positive," said Michael Wolfe.
- A Muslim nurse in Michigan, Najah Bazzy, recounted, "I was was giving a tour of the Islamic Center of America in Dearborn, Michigan to a visiting Chinese delegation, including Chinese Muslims. All of a sudden there was quite a stir and the visitors began to shout in English "Nursa, nursa, Muhammad, film!" I realized in that moment they had met me long before I had the good pleasure to meet them. Within minutes they were asking all kinds of questions about the film, and to my great embarrassment their camera's started flashing like crazy as they lined up for personal pictures next to the nurse they had seen on their TV screens in China. They recognized me, they said, because every Ramadan UPF’s film Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet is aired with a full translation in different dialects throughout China, without being censored.
- They said they loved the film so much, especially the scenes depicting with my daughter Nadia and her father. This is an example of the human ambassadorship and peace that we can achieve by joining nations and people through film. I think the production company’s name, UNITY, is very appropriate. May God reward you."
- On a visit to Egypt, Alex Kronemer had an unusual encounter during a dinner. "At a World Economic Forum meeting in Sharm Al Shaikh, Egypt, I was enjoying dinner when I overheard a very animated man with a European accent at the table next to me mention UPF’s film, Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet. My ears perked up, and I was blown away by what I heard next: he said he was instructing the entire embassy staff to watch the film, so that they would be prepared to answer questions about Muhammad, who he was and what he accomplished. I know I shouldn’t have eavesdropped...but I’m so glad I did."
- Michael Wolfe described his feelings upon learning about the film's wide-reaching impact in India. "In addition to PBS in the US, National Geographic has been one of the best sources for broadcasting UPF’s Legacy film. A few years ago, they started showing the film in India with Hindi subtitles over three nights during Ramadan. Showing it to a country of a billion people in their own language, that was a 'pinch yourself' moment when I really felt grateful to our supporters in the US. Without them the film could never have been made."
- Former State Department officer Peter Kovach explained how the film helped create not only a better understanding of Islam but also an appreciation for the religious freedom available in America. "My job at the State Department involved public diplomacy. One day, while visiting a madrassa in Sumatra, I was trying to explain to students the fact that America values freedom of religion. The students mentioned that they had trouble believing that, and had a negative view of America, until they recently saw the film, Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet on the Discovery Channel. When they realized that an American production could depict the Prophet Muhammad in an unbiased way, it began to change the views about America in their village and as they put it, 'America can’t be so bad'."
