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The Middle East

Pete Owen Jones's epic journey exploring the world's beliefs continues in the Middle East, taking him to Syria, Samaria, northern Iraq and Jerusalem.

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.

1 hour

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Peter Owen-Jones
Director Tom Sheahan
Producer Tom Sheahan
Executive Producer Jean-Claude Bragard

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