TEHRAN -- Hamid Farrokhnejad has signed a contract to play the role of Abu Sufyan in “Muhammad (S)”, which will be directed by Majid Majidi.

“I will be acting the role about three months after the beginning of shooting,” Farrokhnejad told the Persian service of the Fars News Agency on Tuesday.  

Abu Sufyan (560-650 CE) was a mogul of the merchant family of the Quraysh tribe in Mecca at the time of the birth of Muhammad (S) and also one of the leading opponents of the Prophet (S) before accepting Islam.

He fought against the army of the Prophet (S) in the Battle of Badr, the Battle of Uhud and the Battle of the Trench.

Abu Sufyan accepted Islam after Muslims conquered Mecca in 630.

This film, which will depict the life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S) from the age of 12 until his appointment to prophethood, is scheduled to be produced by a number of the world’s prominent cineastes.

Syrian filmmaker Moustapha Akkad’s “The Message” is the most notable film ever produced in the world about the Holy Prophet (S).

American actor Michael Ansara played the role of Abu Sufyan in “The Message”.