0:00:00 > 0:00:00- Subtitles
0:00:00 > 0:00:03- February is a month to look ahead.
0:00:03 > 0:00:06- Days get longer - and spring is in the air.
0:00:06 > 0:00:09- It's also a time for Lent - in the Christian calendar...
0:00:10 > 0:00:14- ..a time for contemplation and - fasting in the lead up to Easter.
0:00:14 > 0:00:18- In tonight's programme - we hear about fasting...
0:00:18 > 0:00:21- ..amongst other religions in Wales.
0:00:21 > 0:00:25- Welcome to Bangor. Welcome - to Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol.
0:00:53 > 0:00:57- As we approach Lent, - we learn more about this period...
0:00:58 > 0:01:00- ..from Canon Robert Townsend.
0:01:00 > 0:01:05- And what is it like to fast - in the Muslim community in Wales?
0:01:13 > 0:01:16- The city of Bangor, - one of Wales' smallest cities.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19- It's home to one - of its oldest diocese.
0:01:19 > 0:01:23- Back in the sixth century, St - Deiniol established a monastery...
0:01:24 > 0:01:26- ..on the site - of the present cathedral.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29- Bangor became - an important Christian centre.
0:01:29 > 0:01:34- When the Penrhyn slate quarry - was opened in the 18th century...
0:01:35 > 0:01:37- ..and when the modern day A5 - was opened...
0:01:38 > 0:01:41- ..a town grew around the cathedral - and it became...
0:01:41 > 0:01:47- ..a busy commercial, cultural - and social town in North-west Wales.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51- Our congregational singing comes - from the multi-faith Emaus church.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55- It's located near the university.
0:01:55 > 0:02:00- We begin with an appreciation - of Jesus Christ's reign.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52- Canon Robert Townsend - is communications director...
0:04:53 > 0:04:54- ..for the Bangor diocese.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58- The work the Church does - during this time...
0:04:58 > 0:05:00- ..helps many people locally.
0:05:01 > 0:05:06- Lent is a period - of 40 days and 40 nights.
0:05:06 > 0:05:10- Christians prepare for Easter...
0:05:10 > 0:05:14- ..celebrate the highlight - of the year...
0:05:14 > 0:05:18- ..and relive the events of Jerusalem - during the first Easter...
0:05:18 > 0:05:24- ..Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and - the Resurrection on Easter Sunday.
0:05:25 > 0:05:32- A lot of people like to fast - or stop doing something...
0:05:32 > 0:05:34- ..during the period of Lent.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38- They live without something - to try and make a difference.
0:05:38 > 0:05:42- Sacrifice in the material world - is difficult.
0:05:42 > 0:05:46- Yes, we all know how difficult it is - to live without phones, devices...
0:05:47 > 0:05:48- ..and our iThingies.
0:05:48 > 0:05:53- It is difficult - but it's not impossible.
0:05:53 > 0:05:57- Is fasting as popular now - in the modern world?
0:05:58 > 0:06:01- Everyone likes giving up - chocolate, bread...
0:06:01 > 0:06:04- ..or Liquorice Allsorts in my case.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06- I love Liquorice Allsorts.
0:06:07 > 0:06:11- Living without them for 40 days - is very difficult for me.
0:06:11 > 0:06:12- It's very difficult!
0:06:13 > 0:06:17- It's not the giving something up, - the fasting, that counts...
0:06:17 > 0:06:21- ..but trying to find something else - in its place.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24- If you're fasting - and you give up chocolate...
0:06:25 > 0:06:30- ..the money you save in doing so, - you need to do something with it.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33- We're in Bangor now, - in the cathedral.
0:06:33 > 0:06:35- Here, there's a foodbank.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39- Often, people give something up...
0:06:40 > 0:06:41- ..put the money to one side...
0:06:42 > 0:06:45- ..and spend that money - on food for the foodbank.
0:06:45 > 0:06:49- That helps people in our community.
0:06:49 > 0:06:56- Whatever the colour of our skin, - whatever our beliefs...
0:06:56 > 0:07:00- ..as a Christian, - it's a privilege to help others...
0:07:00 > 0:07:06- ..especially during Lent - as we look ahead to Easter.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32- Lent is a time for contemplation...
0:09:32 > 0:09:36- ..and Christians fast - for 40 days until Easter.
0:09:36 > 0:09:40- Fasting is also - an important part of Islam.
0:09:40 > 0:09:46- During Ramadan, Muslims fast - from the break of dawn...
0:09:46 > 0:09:49- ..until sunset every day.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52- Sara Yassine - can tell us more about it.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59- Islam means a lot to me, - it gives me a direction in life.
0:09:59 > 0:10:03- It reminds me of what - I should be doing every day...
0:10:03 > 0:10:05- ..and to do kind acts.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08- I can't think of a life without it.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11- It's gives me a purpose in life.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14- It gives me a great boost.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20- I like coming here.
0:10:20 > 0:10:24- It gives me an opportunity to think. - It's a peaceful place to visit.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26- My family and friends come here.
0:10:27 > 0:10:31- There's a nice community here.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35- Ramadan is a month - in the Islam calendar...
0:10:35 > 0:10:39- ..when Muslims fast - from the break of dawn until sunset.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42- We don't drink, we don't eat.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45- We use the time - to bring us closer to God.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47- We read the Quran, we pray more.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49- We try and do more kind acts...
0:10:50 > 0:10:53- ..such as helping people - and stuff like that.
0:10:53 > 0:10:57- Throughout the year, - Muslims might not do enough...
0:10:57 > 0:10:59- ..or might not do - what they should do.
0:11:00 > 0:11:04- It's time to recharge - and it makes me feel very peaceful.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08- We believe that everything we do - during Ramadan is more valuable.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11- It's a time - when we return to Islam...
0:11:11 > 0:11:15- ..and rediscover what we - should be doing all year round.
0:11:17 > 0:11:21- Our family wakes up at about 3.00am.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24- Mam makes food and we all eat.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26- Then we pray and go back to sleep.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30- If there's school, we go to school, - the same with work.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33- We then return home - and pray together.
0:11:33 > 0:11:37- We eat and break the fast together.
0:11:39 > 0:11:44- Ramadan is difficult but it gets - easier as the month progresses.
0:11:44 > 0:11:48- It's difficult at the start - when you're not used to it.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50- After a few days, it's easier.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55- By the end of the day, - I don't feel like eating a lot...
0:11:55 > 0:11:57- ..because I'm used to not eating.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02- People continue - with their everyday lives.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05- We don't let it affect our lives.
0:12:05 > 0:12:09- It's just something extra - that we do during the month.
0:12:10 > 0:12:15- In the future, I hope that more - Muslims do more for their community.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19- We do a lot now but in the future, - I believe we'll do even more.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22- It's strengthened me as a person.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40- It's Saturday morning but - this primary school is still open.
0:14:40 > 0:14:45- Local children come here to learn - about their religion, Islam.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50- When night has entered, - we do our Isha prayers.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53- Shereen Williams, - originally from Singapore...
0:14:53 > 0:14:57- ..is one of the teachers responsible - for an Islam school in Newport...
0:14:58 > 0:15:00- ..every Saturday morning.
0:15:00 > 0:15:05- The school teaches children about - the prophets and their faith...
0:15:05 > 0:15:08- ..and offers them advice - about the course of life.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11- How much of a challenge - is it to run this school...
0:15:11 > 0:15:13- ..and teach children about Islam?
0:15:14 > 0:15:18- It's difficult - but it's important to the families.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21- We live in a multi-cultural Wales.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24- It's important to teach respect.
0:15:24 > 0:15:28- We want to teach them - to become good Welsh Muslims.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30- We're going to count.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34- Shereen's children learn about their - religion and the Welsh language.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36- Flowers.
0:15:39 > 0:15:40- Well done.
0:15:41 > 0:15:47- I'm Iesu and I speak three languages - - Malay, English and Welsh.
0:15:47 > 0:15:54- Ramadan is important to us. - We don't eat for 16 hours.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57- It can make you very hungry.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01- To keep the family going - during the fasting period...
0:16:01 > 0:16:06- ..between daybreak and sunset, - they eat healthy, nutritious food.
0:16:06 > 0:16:13- We're cooking mosque porridge - - broth with meat, spices and carrots.
0:16:13 > 0:16:14- Delicious.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21- We've got a very special guest, - Iesu's Dad.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26- Owain, Iesu's father, - came from a Christian family.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29- At the age of 17, - after a visit to the mosque...
0:16:29 > 0:16:32- ..he decided to join - the Islam faith.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36- After meeting Shereen, - they married in 2005.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39- People often ask me...
0:16:39 > 0:16:41- ..whether I'm Welsh or Muslim.
0:16:41 > 0:16:45- I'm glad to say I'm a Welsh Muslim.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50- Things weren't that simple - during his youth.
0:16:50 > 0:16:55- When I was a kid, I was nasty - to other Muslim kids at my school.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57- Yeah - boo, hiss!
0:16:57 > 0:17:02- Unfortunately, there's too much - hatred in the world today.
0:17:03 > 0:17:08- I welcome something that helps - people to understand each other.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12- I hope this Saturday school - can do that work.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17- Unless you were a Muslim, Ramadan - comes and go and you don't notice.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20- We try and make sure the house - is decorated...
0:17:21 > 0:17:24- ..using Christmas decorations, - tinsel and everything else.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27- It's important to learn why we fast.
0:17:28 > 0:17:33- When they're older and they - can take part in the fasting...
0:17:33 > 0:17:36- ..then they'll understand.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44- Ramadan is a wonderful month.
0:17:44 > 0:17:49- It's an opportunity for us - to come closer together...
0:17:50 > 0:17:52- ..and appreciate God.
0:20:09 > 0:20:13- As our visit to Bangor - draws to a close...
0:20:13 > 0:20:17- ..despite the hustle and bustle - of life...
0:20:17 > 0:20:21- ..I hope we can find a moment - to contemplate.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23- We hope you can join us again - next week.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26- From Bangor, goodnight.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12- S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.
0:23:13 > 0:23:13- .