RTÉ One is to mark the Muslim holy month of Ramadan with a series of weekly, high profile Ramadan Diaries, in which, just before the 6.01 News, four Muslims living in Ireland share their stories and their faith in a series of short films.
“When the month of Ramadan begins, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained – Sahih Bukhari, Hadith on Ramadan
Saturday 11th June, 17 50, RTÉ One
Part one of four
Asad Mahmud Khondkar has lived in Tullamore for the last 13 years with his wife, Anna, and their three children. This affable Bangladeshi restaurant manager has always been proud of both his faith and his food. His restaurant, Shishir, does not serve alcohol, because it is forbidden (haram) in Islam, but he is happy to let others bring their own bottle and charges no corkage! During Ramadan, Asad will also happily put food on people’s tables while fasting himself. This accommodation of other people’s beliefs and traditions, while maintaining his own, is based on what he sees as Islam’s most important foundations – love and respect for God, for others and for your community. Expect talk of food, family and faith from his diary entry.