The world of religions with its big and small secrets offers plenty of room for discovery. Faith has many faces and, in its concrete manifestations, leads to very different ways of life. In the “Fascination of Faith” series, we get to know the exciting world of the five major religions. We visit impressive temples and magnificent churches – the houses of faith. And we accompany people who leave no stone unturned to shape their lives according to God’s will.

What do we really know about Islam? Our associations rarely take us further than the headscarves worn by Muslim women or believers bending towards Mecca. This documentary breaks with common clichés and misconceptions and explores the question of what everyday Muslim life actually looks like. We get to know the gigantic mosque of King Hassan the Second in Casablanca, where Imam Radouan Benchekroun recites the Koran. Every Friday, the official holiday, thousands of Muslims flock to the mosque to listen to his speeches. We also meet Youssef Loraichi, who has only turned to the Koran since the death of his parents. For young people today, faith plays a far greater role than for older people. Regular prayers at work have become commonplace again in Morocco. In the Touti family, we can see how the children are leading their parents back to the principles of Islam.

The highlight of the year is the Eid al-Adha festival. At this religious celebration, which marks the end of the pilgrimage to Mecca, sheep are sacrificed in honor of Allah. We observe the people during the elaborate preparations for this huge festival. Participation is of great importance to the people. Even the poorest people from the suburbs of Casablanca leave no stone unturned to contribute offerings. Long before the actual celebration, they do without the basic necessities of life in order to save up enough money for a slaughtered animal.

Initiative: Marita Neher
Director: Peter Heller
Editor: Linde Dehner (ZDF/arte)
Production: Andrea Ufer
Broadcaster: ZDF/arte

– Episode 1 – Casablanca: The Mosque of Hassan II
– Episode 2 – Yangon: The Shwedagon Pagoda
– Episode 3 – Budapest: The Dohány Synagogue
– Episode 4 – Madurai: The Meenakshi Temple
– Episode 5 – Milan: The Cathedral of St. Maria Nascente