Stairway to Heaven: Rebuilding the Minbar of Saladin (2009)

Documentary chronicling the restoration and re-installation of the Minbar (pulpit) of Saladin, at Jerusalem's holy Islamic Al-Aqsa mosque. Originally installed on the orders of Saladin in 1187, the structure was made of ivory and hand-crafted wood, with Arabic calligraphy, geometric designs and floral motifs inscribed in its woodwork. After its destruction by a fanatic in 1969, it was replaced with a much simpler structure later deemed to be inappropriate. 30 years later, the Jordanian royal family decided to reconstruct the Minbar following the original design, and it was duly completed over a period of four years.