BBC2 will tackle Islam debate
BBC2 is launching a new three-part series called The Retreat in which volunteers will live in a remote Islamic study centre to learn about and practise Islam.
Six people will spend a month at the Alqueria de Rosales retreat in Spain where they will pray daily, study the religion and even fast for the holy month of Ramadan.
The show – from the team that produced The Monastery and The Convent – aims to shed light on the religion and broader questions of faith today.
see the link: al-madrasa.com
BBC2 is launching a new three-part series called The Retreat in which volunteers will live in a remote Islamic study centre to learn about and practise Islam.
Six people will spend a month at the Alqueria de Rosales retreat in Spain where they will pray daily, study the religion and even fast for the holy month of Ramadan.
The show – from the team that produced The Monastery and The Convent – aims to shed light on the religion and broader questions of faith today.
And TV bosses will also be hoping for some lively debates between their hand-picked group.
They are (from left to right above):
Muslim Aisha Alvi is a 31-year-old single law graduate from Cheshire whose work specialises in Islamic law. At 14 she campaigned successfully for the right to wear the hijab at school.
Khadejah Begag is a 32-year-old married mum-of-one. Formerly Claire Sullivan, she converted to Islam 10 years ago and married an Algerian man. But she worries she is losing her faith and is fed up with abuse since 9/11 and 7/7.
Sarah "Pom" Jenkins is 28 and single. She is a psychotherapist in London, was brought up a Christian but is still seeking a faith, having tried alternatives including Kabbalah.
The group will be led by scholar Abdullah Trevathan ( al-Qadiri al-Boutchich) He lives in Spain but also works as a lecturer at the University of Roehampton in Twickenham.
Azim "Han" Ziaee is 34, single and an advertising salesman from Birmingham. He was born into a Muslim family but rebelled from an early age.
Muddassar Ahmed is 23, single and from East London. He leads a hectic life running various businesses and is rarely off his mobile. He sees Islam as a chore rather than a conviction.
Divorcee Simon Yarrow, 36 is a scuba diving instructor. He describes himself as a "questioning agnostic". He beat cancer in his twenties and prefers rationalism to religion.
Sidi Abdullah is a muqadam of Shaykh Sidi Hamza al-Qadiri al-Budshishi and is the mentor for the BB2 Series' The ReTreat.! '
Episode one Watch Episodes online click
Simon, an agnostic, is searching for answers to the meaning of life after the break up of his marriage and his recovery from cancer. Initially he doesn't connect on an emotional level but during an intense debate on the different aspects of Islam he feels moved by some of the basic teachings of the prophet Mohammed.
Conflicting interpretations of Islam soon cause tensions. A mountaintop stroll taken to achieve greater spiritual awareness shifts in focus when Cheshire barrister Aisha, refuses a helping male hand even though the terrain is treacherous.
And there is resistance to the whole notion of retreating from everyday life for spiritual reflection. Mover and shaker Mudassar can't break free from his business affairs, the only enlightenment for him comes from finding the best mobile phone coverage.
Even in the first week self proclaimed 'wide-boy' Azim, whose lack of interest in Islam from childhood has so disappointed his father, and trained psychotherapist Pom, show signs they are at the start of an intense spiritual journey.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/programmes/misc/retreat_1.shtml
Episode two Monday 5th March
So far, it has been an intense experience, but ten days in the volunteers are starting to react against the constant prayer and introspection.
To keep the group on track, leader Abdullah Trevathan has asked them to stick to a schedule of five daily prayers - so far only agnostic Simon has managed to attend every one. Mudassar finally relinquishes his mobile phone and without the constant distraction starts to question his real values in life. For Azim, his reconnection to Islam takes a surprising turn as he reconsiders the sort of woman he would like to spend the rest of his life with.
As part of their daily teachings, the group explore death, a topic which has major significance for each member particularly Pom Jenkins, who still has unresolved issues around the death of her sister when she was twelve.
Barrister Aisha is beginning to isolate herself from some group activities. She is uncomfortable with some forms of worship and rejects Abdullah’s approach to Islam. Before long she has to face a crucial decision: whether to stay or cut short the experience.
A surprise trip to Morocco jolts the group out of their comfort zone. Abdullah has made no actual preparations for their stay. Instead he tells them to put their faith in Allah and experience a true spiritual journey.
Also there is a Whole Website Dedicated to The retreat
http://www.theretreat-online.com/
Welcome to The Retreat brought to you by the community responsible for the event presented by BBC2 in the documentary, "The Retreat"
see link
http://www.theretreat-online.com/
Aims - From web site -.theretreat-online.com
The aim of such a Retreat is to bring you to a greater understanding of the self and its relationship with the Divine. For non-muslims it will be a chance to become acquainted with a spiritual methodology frequently eclipsed by modernist and extremist elements within the muslim world. For muslims it will be a chance to reconnect with the wisdom traditions engendered by classical islamic civilisation and from which many have been severed.
The idea is to take participants away from familiar surroundings and to place them in a safe and caring environment surrounded by great natural beauty. The silence and the majesty of the mountains has an undoubtedly therapeutic effect on most people. From our frequent observation and experience the novelty of this wears off to some extent within a day or so. Many people feel a certain restlessness set in - 'What do we do now?' The surrounding area implacably demands nothing - its just there and there is nothing to be done. Invariably - one is forced to turn inward- something which the ego gets rather anxious about. In addition, different classes will be given by experienced mentors, both male and female to guide and direct your thoughts and energies to greater self discovery as embodied within the Prophetic traditions and teachings of the saints. The Prophet said, 'He who knows himself knows his Lord'. Once the Retreat is fully underway there are other activities also designed to help focus and relocate our essential self- consisting of things such as; solitude and meditation in the wilderness for short specified times, working closely with animals and working the land.
In accordance with muslim canonical tradition the five daily prayer times will form the backbone of the day. Those who wish to pray with the community are most welcome - while those who choose not to physically participate are encouraged to attend and use the time for reflection. Separation of the sexes will be observed during prayer times and dhikr sessions though not during class sessions except where appropriate (exercises wherein the Divine Names and Attributes are focused upon through both silence and chanting)
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