Pete Owen Jones’s epic journey exploring the world’s beliefs continues in the Middle East, where he encounters an unknown side to a land scarred by religious strife.
In a moving and at times disturbing film, Pete travels to Israel where he meets the African-Americans who have settled in the Holy Land to live by the principles of the Old Testament – including polygamy. He travels to Syria to explore Islam and meet the Sufi Whirling Dervishes, to Samaria to witness the 3000-year-old Passover sacrifice, and to northern Iraq to track down the ancient and obscure Yazidi sect, who have a curious reputation for devil worship.
Pete also visits Jerusalem, revered as the ultimate city of spiritual power, where he takes part in two great rituals – the Christian Via Dolorosa and the Jewish Purim festival.
His journey is full of uncomfortable revelations about the roots of religious intolerance, but ends with a redemptive message of peace.
The documentary is available on BBC iplayer (accessible only within the UK) until 27th February 2009. To view the programme, go to: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00h35t7/Around_the_World_in_80_Faiths_The_Middle_East/
