4Ramadan

27 June 2013

Rashid Khan, A Very British Ramadan

This year Channel 4 is marking the holy month of Ramadan with a season of programmes reflecting what life is like for Britain’s Muslim population who will observe this religious festival. From dawn to dusk Muslims around the world will not eat, drink, smoke or engage in sexual relations in an attempt to focus on what’s important, think about those who have less than them and better appreciate all that they have. But during Ramadan, life also has to carry on as normal – working in mentally and physically demanding environments and raising families. Channel 4 will follow and hear from a range of British Muslims throughout Ramadan, on how they cope with daily life and the physical and spiritual effects of fasting – as they go through it. The season includes stand-alone commissions, daily series, and will mark early morning prayers, with interactive elements and online content available for Muslim and non-Muslim viewers keen to engage with and learn more about the Ramadan experience at www.channel4.com/ramadan

The season launches with a half-hour guide to Ramadan, A Very British Ramadan, and continues with a daily sermon each morning, and short films each evening, Ramadan Diaries, offering personal insights from a wide range of Muslims – teachers, singers, doctors, sports stars - into the physical and spiritual aspects of Ramadan. Sunrise and sunset times, which tell Muslims when the fast starts and when it breaks, will be given during the Channel 4 News weather.

4Ramadan is produced by Watershed

Exec Prod Mark Rubens

Series Producers Rukhsana Mosam / Navid Akhtar 

 

A Very British Ramadan (1x30) (Monday 8th July, 8pm, Channel 4)

The season, 4Ramadan, starts with a half-hour documentary, A Very British Ramadan (1x 30) presented by former-professional rugby league player and star of the award-winning Make Bradford British, Rashid Khan. Rashid travels across the country, exploring the physical, logistical and spiritual preparations for the Holy month of Ramadan.

Watershed

Exec Prod Mark Rubens

Series Producers Rukhsana Mosam / Navid Akhtar 

 

Ramadan Reflections  

Every morning just before sunrise, to start the day’s fasting, a short film offers a unique insight into what Ramadan means from 30 different individuals. From imams to architects, feminists to former rock chicks, each provides some serious Ramadan food for thought.

Watershed

Exec Prod Mark Rubens

Series Producer Rukhsana Mosam /

Producer Navid Akhtar 

 

Ramadan Diaries

Each night a short film will follow Muslims as they observe the Holy month of Ramadan. From dawn to dusk Muslims across Britain will not eat, drink, smoke or engage in sexual relations in an attempt to focus on what’s important, think about those who have less than them and better appreciate all that they have. The Ramadan Diaries meets a cross-section of society – doctors, radio djs, parents and children – to understand what Ramadan means to them. The films will delve beyond the physical trial of fasting over Ramadan and will seek to discover how the fast impacts at a deeper, spiritual level.

Using documentary footage, plus self-shot videos from participants, Ramadan Diaries will immerse the viewer into the world of fasting and give them an insight into what Ramadan is, as well as what it means to be Muslim in Britain today. The Diaries cover a spectrum of everyday life and interesting characters, featuring a wide range of Muslims from across Britain, including some well-known faces.

Watershed

Exec Prod Mark Rubens

Series Producers Rukhsana Mosam / Navid Akhtar