ramadan, the month when muslims refrain from food, drink and marital relations during daylight hours, is a special time for britain's 3 million muslims. physical and spiritual rewards are worth it. ramadan has been a fantastic time uh, in sense, in the sense that it's about spiritually connecting with the law of the heavens and the earth and detoxing your bodies. ramadan is the month of prayer in the quran when muslims do their best to cultivate will power, discipline and self-restraint. they also increase their charitable activity. and empathize with the

poor, needy and destitutes. we feed people, we we sit together and we share food, we share food with everyone, and this is part of it, buse they don't have it, we bring the food to them, they can't come to us, so we bring it to them, and that's the whole thing about ramadan, which is you know you share and you care, but ramadan isn't just about self-sacrifice, it's about sharing food with your family and friends, it's about increasing solidarity with your muslim. brothers and sisters at home and abroad, and it's about showcasing the beauty of islam to the non-muslim majority living in the uk. certain headlines are putting the lives of many innocent people at risk, so what can we do? with islam and muslims regularly demonized in the british media, ramadan is a golden opportunity for muslims to showcase the true islam, and i've been traveling around the country during the... holy month

in search of exactly that, like many muslims in majority non-muslim countries, british muslims can sometimes be the subject of unwelcome scrutiny, sometimes being a muslim in britain can feel a bit like being under siege, so the month of ramadan when muslim fast from dawn to dust can come as a welcome relief for many, a time for physical and spiritual renewal as well as an opportunity to improve relations between muslims and non-muslims alike. the hussein family who live in north london are getting ready to break their fast. like british muslims all over the country, the husseins have spent the last month fasting, so the evening meal will come as a relief. mrs. hussein is all... preparing some food to take

round to her non-muslim neighbors, could you encapsulate what ramadan means for you uh, um, for me it's reconnecting with my lord, it's like understanding what is the purpose of your life, which is to worship your lord and to be the best person that you can be. can i ask the same question? yeah, it's about reprogramming, deprogramming all the bad habits i've gotten into kind of reprogramming um what's required of me from my lord ' um and self-discipline. fasting is compulsory on every muslim who is sane and mature, male or female. it has many physical, moral and social benefits, but most importantly god has made fasting compulsory so that muslims become piace, fearing and god-conscious. fly to juicy dates, slaton, a shiny plate. during

the month of ramadan yum yum we know that the shaitans are locked up during this month and for me that's definitely something that noticed it becomes lot more easier um to pick up the quran spend a little bit more time on the quran and you notice like small habits changing so when you're on the tube like on my phone i'll get the quran out much i'm much more likely to get the quran out start to read as i'm sat uh commuting and it's like you sort of um cuz you're sort of waiting for the time when you when you open your fast you realize that "i can use this time to do things that are better than just wasting time watching tv or facebook or whatever. i made uh ramadan gift bags for my um for my neighbors, my non-muslim neighbors and i distributed them uh with just with a little not saying what ramadan means to us. in terms of my muslim community, yeah we've had lot of ramadan iftar invites so we've been going to them. it's time to break the fast during meal which is known as iftar. i joined my hosts in a lovely and refreshing..." asian dinner,

often muslims will overeat at this time to compensate for what they've been missing out on, but the correct islamic etiquet is to fill two/thirds of your stomach with food and drink. and leave the last third empty, tonight at least i think we've stuck to that, the quran is a unifying factor for muslims of all different traditions, sects and cultures, all muslims believe it's the literal unchanging word of god and they strive to live their life. according to scriptures, now the recitation of the quran is considered something of an art form all across the muslim world. ramadan was the month during which the quran was revealed to the prophet muhammad, and many muslims will attempt to recite the whole book before the month ends. the very act of fasting is prescribed in the

quran so that the holy book says believers can learn piety. the rules of fasting are also set out in its pages, with those unable to fast due to illness, traveling an old age exempt, this is because god intends ease for us. message of the the holy quran is to to guide the human being, that is the the book of guidance, that is the book of guidance to all universe, not just muslims, because this book is not written by a person, it's written, it's the words of allah subhanahu wa taala, that is the from secure source, so... it is the book of past, the book of the book of present and the book of future. muslims believe the quran was revealed to the prophet muhammad over a period of 23 years. the holy book emphasizes the duty of mankind to

worship, fear, love and obey the one god who created the heavens and the earth, the god of muhammad, jesus and moses. if the quran's central message is monotheism, it also teaches muslims how to live a good life, which will ultimately grant them entrance into paradise, and how to avoid the sins, which will consign them into hell. during the month of ramadan, prayer is also a priority for muslims. believers are required to pray five times a day, even outside of ramadan, but during the holy month, muslims will often perform additional prayers, especially in the mosque. again, prayer is a combination of movements and gestures which symbolize submission to god as well as quranic recitation which reminds believers of his holy words. this is the month of revelation of quran, so he wants us to attach yourself with quran, because he because the rewards

are multiplied in the month of ramadan. he has given the attraction to the people. okay, if you read, normally you are rewarded 10 times, in this month you will be rewarded 70 times. people. think that being thirsty, if you do not eat and do not drink anything, that is fast, no, there is fast of your stomach, there is fast of your eyes, there is fast of your ears, there is fast of your tongue, there is fast of your hands and there is fast of your f as well, like the whole body should be fasting, not just your stomach, if you're hungry and still you're abusing people, allah says i have nothing to do with your thust, this is the time that we spend more time on ourselves, because rest of the year maybe we are very busy with you know day-to-day work, but in the months of ramadan our physical activities maybe are you know some of our uh contacts reduce so that we have more time for our contemplation and you

know prayer, recitation and being with the community. ramadan is a time for communities to come together. every night at dusk the fast is broken, most often with family and friends or in the mosk. it's a great opportunity for people who don't see each other much the rest of the year to get together, and it's also a time when muslims belonging to different sex unify. i'm trying to think back, have i been to any shia mosque, i don't think i have. actually ever before, mean i know there are some slight variations in prayer and i know that's the kind of the set the timings for ift are a bit different, but that's it, that's the extent of my knowledge actually uh about shas, but again and shas are vast, there are many different schools, i actually don't know much about shas, um so yeah let's see what

happens, razanadim is a sunni muslim which means he belongs to the majority sect of islam, but tonight he'll be breaking his fast a shia mosque, islam's and history, in general, the two sects have coexisted in relative peace throughout islamic history, with some exceptions of course, but with political events in the middle east currently at boiling point, sectarian tensions can sometimes spill over. without having unity, we would be not able to face our challenges and indeed we would be just challenging ourselves internally and exhausting. ourselves without reaching to any conclusion, what terrorist groups want to do, they want

to create division between the muslims, they want to create you know us and them situation between the muslims and also then between the muslims and the wider community, and if we are really fighting amongst ourselves then then that that really makes them a winner, and we want to make sure that we believe in the same god, we we believe in the same holy quran and those who believe in the same scripture, they are part of the... of islam, and the concept of takfied is absolutely cancer in islam, is is eating us away. sha muslims break their fast few minutes later than sunni muslims do, and they tend to combine the sunset prayer and the night prayer, called maghrib and isha in arabic, unlike sunnis. 'but these minor differences between the sex don't seem to bother razer

too much. it's different. mean it's it's a lot of similarities that you see in the way people pray uh some similarities, but yeah um didn't realize that they combined the issue as well uh during ramadan i thought i thought that they had a tharawi prayer but i'm guessing that doesn't happen but yeah and the food was good it's - yeah better than my local most that's for sure right now you see muslims being attacked left right and center the last thing you want to be fighting amongst each other, and i think a lot of is misunderstanding, so i mean earlier they were doing the trans, the recitation of the quran, there was no difference, it's all the same, people sitting there remembering god, you know, glorifying the prophet, and it's it's so many similarities, and for me, i mean, i, i knew that there were many similarities, but to see them in action, that is, it's, it just kind of breaks a mental barrier, and i think especially for lot of muslims that are quite hard line sectarian, on both sides of the camp, i think they should go to different most just because you realized. we're not that different and yeah, we all like our food if that time. islam is probably the most

demonized religion in britain and muslims are regularly the subject of negative media headlines, usually associated with extremism and terrorism. faced by this onslaught, it can be difficult for muslims to get their side of the story across, but that doesn't mean they're not trying. ramadan is perhaps the best time of year for muslim. to showcase their religion, and that's exactly what several initiatives across the uk have done, such as the ramadan tent here in central london, which welcomes up to 300 muslims and non-muslims every night to break the fast, and the idea behind these initiatives is very simple, that intimate human contact can break down barriers like nothing else. the ramadan tent project is run by student volunteers and adopts gentle, non-confrontational, even subliminal approach, and showing non-muslims what islam is. it seeks to demonstrate the values of islam by setting an example instead

of preaching, to build bridges between cultures and encourage interfaith dialogue through the simple act of sharing meal. we've been able to foster a platform for interfaith dialogue to explain, the the actual beautiful values of our religion, you know, and and yeah, and and feel the community spirit most of all. i think, when you look and you see, just... people of all different colors and races sitting on the floor eating together, i think you know it's uh, i think that's what it's about. i grew up religious, so when i came across what was going on, i was really intrigued with the idea of fasting and praying, and um, so wanted to learn more, and just the experience of meeting the best people i've ever, some of the best people i've ever met who have such sincere intentions, um, it made me want to get involved and learn more about their what they... doing here and the what ramadan means every night during the month of ramadan, a

different speaker gives a short talk here everyone gathered, then after the maghrib or sunset prayer the fast is broken with rice, meat, fruit, desserts and tea. sometimes islam won't crop up in conversation at all, but friendships are built, curiosity is around, and perhaps stereotypes would have been broken. i think that i kind of really identify. with the muslim community by their standards, not drinking alcohol and fasting and things like that, so i didn't have any negative perceptions, but i think that being involved in a community helps me to... understand the muslim community even more and to be able to share that with my community back in the states. stephen mills and steve smith are getting sneak preview of the feast that awaits them in a few hours time. i can't

wait. that's why i'm just going to get hold. muslim teachers from oldem in the north of england have been fasting all day as part of an initiative called share ramadan, the brain child of manu mia, another teacher. it's around 5:30 p.m. you working in such a high muslim school, i thought it'd be a brilliant experience for me to to see what, not only the colleagues that i have, but the... 'the kids that i teach go through uh, i just thought it give me a bit of insight into what they go through uh and understanding. how's it been for you so far, so you you've you didn't get up for breakfast, first mistake right? no, yeah uh, i at about half past 11 last night, um, no, i didn't wake up, i'm not feeling too bad actually, i i thought hunger would be the big thing bause i, i've got a

healthy appetite, i want to say, um, but it's been the thirst that's really really challenged me'. did you know much about ramadan uh, why muslims fast? um, this is my second year doing it, and i'd say the first reason i did it was because coming from my background, i had very little idea about muslim religion, about ramadan, the importance of it, why do it, so the first thing was i wanted to get to know more about it, that was my first reason for even doing it, and how are you finding it? not too bad, uh, hunger has been okay, uh, lunchtime, walking around seeing some people ate, that was a bit difficult, kind of had to turn away from that, uh, thirst is the main one, um, after about 10 or 11, it started to kind of kick in, love a glass of water, and you kind of sometimes go to reach for it, oh no, challenge, invite, share, share ramadan, share ramadan has become something of social media phenomenon, challenge a non-muslim

neighbor or colleague to fast for a day, break the fast with them, and share the moment and experience on social media, i'm going to have a it's got non-muslims all across britain experiencing the ramadan fast. first day i'm always tells the hardest of the fast anyway. i was approached by one of my colleagues nano mer to take part in the challenge. it's a great way to get to know people of course. so done started when the the muslim community were getting lot of bad press. one thing i realized you know the media is in on our side and saying so much things and certain headlines are putting the lives of. many innocent people at risk, so what can we do? you have children and would you want to leave them behind wealth or money? you know, why not? society that is just, that is fair and that is safe, and that will only come about is is when there is an understanding and and the the barriers of

fear and suspicion when they have disappeared from our society, there is that. for me it's been that sacrificing things that you take for granted every day like you know people struggle for water and i can just go and get one anytime a glass of water or a drink of water any time i want um people struggle for food but you know at the end of this i know i'm going to sit down with 10 or 12 friends and have a lovely meal before i started working on the job and minni all i knew about the muslim face was what i read typically on media newspapers whatever it be um then i to become friends with them, and i'd like to think with nanus and vadimir's house to do your ramadan, not only if i found out about the muslim culture, but i've become closer with him uh, with other friends, so we can talk about anything, doesn't have to be about muslim, but it just means that there's not that kind of them and us type culture. a few hours later, and at last it's nearly time to

break the fast. nanu lays a delicious bangladeshi meal in his front room, enough satisfy any... appetite, while around dozen muslim and non-muslim colleagues and friends laugh and joke. allah help us to understand one another, allah remove suspicions and fear from - finally it's time to tuck into the food. stephen and steve are obviously very relieved. it's the last friday of ramadan and thousands of muslims are preparing to march through the streets of central london, condemning zionism and supporting the palestinian resistance

struggle, as they do every year during the annual al-kuds march. now, ramadan is obviously mostly associated with spirituality and quiet reflection, but it's also a time when muslims increase their efforts to promote justice in the public arena. this jerusalem day march took place. year after israel's war on gaza, which killed over 2,000 palestinians and devastated the infrastructure of the besege territory. the palestinian struggle against israeli occupation and aggression has always been at the center of islamic politics and has unified muslims from different nations and traditions since israel was created. the march climaxed outside the us embassy in london, where again the centrality of the palestinian cause for muslims around the

world was emphasized. and today the people of muslim countries around the world stand shoulder to shoulder with moral seeking people in the support of the palestinian nation and gather in the streets to remind the world of the barbaric crimes and atrocities of the occupying zahist regime. zionist is a criminal conspiracy, a colonizing project which will only be complete with the disappearance of the palestinian people. this year's ramadan also saw the high profile launch of attempt by a sufi muslim group to counter the takfiri isal narrative which has attracted a tiny minority of british muslims. pakistani scholar tahar al khadri unveiled a draft school curriculum in london. which condemned isel and extremist ideology. kadri who has previously declared takferis non-muslim, said it was essential to teach people that terror was violation of

islam. whatever philosophy and ideology is being propagated and practice and enforced by isis or other terrorist organization, in part, it was al-qaida and taliban and all those people, they are, this is just an enemity and violation of islam and quran and the prophets. conduct: the initiative wasn't without its critics within the muslim community itself, who said that it placed the emphasis on the muslim community to clean up its act, while downplaying major factors behind radicalization such as british foreign policy, islamophobia and racism. nevertheless, there is general consensus amongst british muslim leaders that the isil mentality and the techphery narrative needs to be driven out of the community. ramadan been a very difficult and challenging time for muslims, we've had killings in kuwait, we had no murder taking place in tunisia and other parts of the globe, so that kind of

really affects the muslims living in this country in leads, because our name has been tarnished, our faith's been abused, those who commit murder in the name of god, they are absolutely affront to human dignity and insult to god. as the holy month of ramadan draws to a close, british muslims will really look forward to the festival of eid. now, eed lasts about one or two days and is characterized by lots of socializing, delicious food and fun activities for the children. it's a joyful occasion which marks the end of a month of really hard self-sacrifice. and british muslims will hope that they can carry forward the lessons they've learned during the month of ramadan and implement them during. in the course of the rest of the year,

never strikes twice, but it does. انا من 48 لهلا عم نلم الليره ورا الليره مشان نعمر مخيم اليرموك هذا مخيم اليرموك هيك they say the darkest hour is just before dawn. but

not here in yarmuk, how designs come from across the world to palestine to occupy a land belonging to another nation? how do they form their secret army, hagana? how do they grab lands belonging to palestinians? how did they build and expand their illegal settlements? israel's former prime minister goldomir answers these and more questions in this documentary. this is home, first was a car,

then the house, then i hit the street, that was 15 years ago, we are in los angeles, they are building and modernizing everywhere, the rent is always increasing, the city doesn't know what to do with all the homeless people, this is our main spot for the last night. 15 years, that's most likely to die on the streets if we don't get her off the streets to the next year, for everyone i house, there's probably at least 12 or 20 in similar situation, so that can make my work very discouraging. housing first is just the first step that they need emotional support, they need support to seek treatment, they need support to manage life.

as hundreds of people have merged.