Around the World in 80 Faiths - The Middle East

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.