Some places are more than landmarks. They are the heartbeat of a people, the soul of a faith, and the witness to centuries of history.
Watch
The trailer
The film
The Holy Sanctuary is an epic cinematic documentary that transports audiences to the heart of Al Aqsa, one of the most sacred and contested places on Earth. This is more than a film. It is an immersive journey of faith, history, resilience and hope.
Captured through breathtaking, never-before-seen original footage filmed inside the blessed Al Aqsa compound, viewers will experience the sanctuary as few ever have. Every moment reveals its timeless beauty, its spiritual majesty, and the unbreakable bond millions share with this holy place.
Featuring exclusive conversations with internationally renowned voices including Norman Finkelstein, Shaykh Hasib Noor, Khalila Lister, Dr Yusuf and Rabbi Chaim Sofer, alongside the powerful testimonies of those living in the Holy Land, the documentary weaves together history, faith and lived experience into a story that is as moving as it is unforgettable.
Filming began before the events of 7 October and continued throughout the devastation that followed, capturing history as it unfolded. The result is a rare and deeply human account of courage, endurance and unwavering faith in the face of unimaginable hardship.
This is not simply the story of a sacred sanctuary. It is the story of the people who refuse to let its light be extinguished.
The Holy Sanctuary is a tribute to Al Aqsa, to its enduring spiritual significance, and to the generations who continue to protect its legacy with extraordinary resilience. It is an invitation to witness, to reflect, and to leave forever changed.
Featuring
The voices in the film
The premiere
Join us at the IMAX in Birmingham
Saturday 12 September 2026. Doors from 4:30pm at Millennium Point, Curzon Street. Salah space is available at the venue.
The Vision
The story behind
The Holy Sanctuary
The Holy Sanctuary was born from the vision of Wajida Syeda and Dr Wagiha Syeda, who saw the film as a lasting Sadaqah Jariyah, a project that would preserve and share the profound Islamic significance of Al Aqsa with the world.
Their vision was simple yet ambitious: to create something original, accessible and deeply engaging. A cinematic documentary that would bring the history, beauty and sacred legacy of Al Aqsa to life for audiences everywhere.
For Muslims, Al Aqsa and Palestine are far more than places on a map. They are a land blessed by Allah, sanctified by the footsteps of His Prophets and woven into the very fabric of our faith. Its story did not begin with today's headlines, nor does it end there.
This was the story they wanted to tell.
What began as a conversation became a dream. The dream became a vision. And that vision became The Holy Sanctuary.
Tragically, both Wajida and Dr Wagiha passed away during the production, never seeing the completed film. Yet their vision lives on through every frame.
Wajida's final Salah was in Al Quds. From there, she travelled to Madinah. Just hours after arriving in the blessed city, she passed away. Her next Salah was her Janazah in Masjid an-Nabawi.
A journey that began in Al Aqsa ended in the city of the beloved Prophet ﷺ.
Project Wajida
The film continues under Project Wajida, carrying forward the work Wajida Syeda began.
In loving memory
& Dr Wagiha Syeda
May Allah accept their vision as Sadaqah Jariyah, forgive them, elevate their ranks and allow this film to remain a source of reward for them for generations to come.
Documentary featuring
Voices from the
Holy Land and beyond
Exclusive conversations with internationally renowned scholars, academics and rabbis, alongside the testimonies of those who live in the shadow of the sanctuary.
Alongside these conversations, the film carries the testimonies of Palestinians living in the Holy Land, recorded before and after 7 October 2023.
Showings
The premiere
Join the Producer, Director and the team behind The Holy Sanctuary for the premiere at the IMAX Cinema, Millennium Point, Birmingham.
- DateSaturday 12 September 2026
- Arrival4:30pmSalah space is available at the venue.
- VenueIMAX Cinema, Millennium PointCurzon Street, Birmingham, B4 7XG
- Enquiries07877 193 234
More screenings
Further UK dates will be announced here. To bring The Holy Sanctuary to a cinema, mosque or institution in your city, get in touch with the team.
Behind the scenes
Filming inside
the compound
Filming began before the events of 7 October and continued throughout the devastation that followed, capturing history as it unfolded.
Access inside the blessed compound was granted over repeated visits, with a small crew working around prayer times and restrictions on entry. The footage that came back has never been seen before.
A selection of stills from the compound is below. Location notes and clips from the shoot will follow.
The crew
Director
Khalid Mahmood
Khalid Mahmood is a Birmingham based filmmaker and cinematographer with a deep passion for visual storytelling. Drawn to stories rooted in history, faith, people and place, his work is driven by a desire to create films that are both visually compelling and emotionally meaningful.
His latest documentary, The Holy Sanctuary, is the culmination of a four-year journey exploring the history, significance and enduring importance of Al-Aqsa. Filmed across multiple locations and shaped by two visits to Jerusalem, the project reflects Khalid’s commitment to independent filmmaking and his belief in the power of film to inform, inspire and leave a lasting impression.
- Director
- Cinematographer
- Editor
- Silver Halo Photography & Films
Producer
Maroof
For nearly three decades, Maroof and his team have worked at the intersection of community, charity and da’wah, bringing ideas to life through projects designed to inspire and serve.
Blessed with frequent journeys to the sacred lands of Makkah, Madinah and Al Quds, his connection to these places runs deep. Shaped by the teachers and mentors who guided his journey, he has learned to translate Islamic teachings into wisdom, clarity and a message that resonates with the average person — reaching hearts, minds and communities.
The Holy Sanctuary was born from a deeply personal vision. Maroof’s mother and aunt, Wajida Syeda and Dr Wagiha Syeda, initiated and financed Al Hikma’s first cinematic documentary — driven by a desire to bring the story and significance of Al Aqsa to a wider audience.
Maroof then approached Khalid with the vision for the film. Together with his team, he brought the production to life — securing internationally acclaimed voices, shaping the content, coordinating locations and providing the direction and framework that allowed Khalid to bring his cinematic vision to the screen.
A vision born from faith. A story shaped by purpose. A film brought to life by a team determined to make it matter.
- Film executive producer
Executive producers
Contact us
Get in touch
For tickets, press, screening requests or anything else about The Holy Sanctuary.
- Phone07877 193 234
- Emailinfo@alhikma.co.uk
- PremiereIMAX, Millennium PointCurzon Street, Birmingham, B4 7XG