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Topic: Society

Ever wondered why some Sikhs wear a turban? What does it mean, where did it come from, and why is it so important?

Meet Jarnail who takes us behind the turban and shares what it means to him as a Sikh. He explores the origins and history of the Sikh turban, explaining how it became an important part of Sikh identity and what it represents today.

For Jarnail, his turban isn’t simply something he wears on his head. It is connected to his faith, his identity, his values and the community he belongs to. He talks openly about why he chooses to wear it, what it feels like to wear something that makes his faith visible, and how other people sometimes react to it. The film also highlights that turbans are worn by Sikh women as well as men, challenging some of the assumptions people may have about who wears one and why.

Through Jarnail’s personal story, My Turban gives us the chance to learn more about Sikhism while also thinking about some bigger questions: What parts of our identity do we choose to show the world? What traditions are important to us? And what can we learn when we take the time to ask someone about something we might not understand?

My Turban is an invitation to look beyond the turban and get to know the person wearing it.

My Turban Transcript

Jarnail: Hi, I'm Jarnail, and I'm a Sikh. There's so many names for a turban, a paag, a daastar, pagri. But most people just use the term paag. This was given to us by our 10th guru, Guru Gobind Singh. So how I begin my turban tying process, I start by getting my actual turban, paag, daastar first and folding it, and I fold it in half. And another half and another half. I lay my turban neatly out and I start combing my very long hair with my kangha. After combing my hair, I tie my hair nice and neat on the top of my head and cover it with a patka. A patka is a small cloth that you wear underneath your turban that helps you keep all your hair intact. Now I begin by tying my turban and I begin my first layer. After tying my first layer, I make sure that's secured tightly and begin my second layer. And then my third layer and so forth. Many Sikhs have different layers to their turbans. I like to tie just three layers. And I open up my first complete layer above my head. Now this helps cover the top of my head. And now I just tuck that in nice and neatly. And then I use my salai, my baaz, which is very important in turban tying, just to tuck in any loose hairs and help my turban feel more secure and tight. My dad taught me how to tie my first turban. It took a bit of practice, but we got there.

Growing up in London, I never used to get really any stares or looks or anything. It was just the norm. There were so many Sikhs. There were so many people of different faiths and communities. However, recently, after moving to the outskirts of London, I've started getting much more stares, more questions, people wondering who I am and why I wear this on my head. When I was 12 years old, I was still a kid messing around. However, that transition, when I wore a turban, I had a massive responsibility to do the right thing and to carry myself like a proper Sikh. My turban means everything to me. It's who I am. It gives me a sense of identity and a sense of belonging and a sense of purpose. So every morning when I tie my turban, I feel a sense of spirituality. I feel not just me tying a cloth around my head. I'm tying everything the turban stands for. Promises, hope, equality, justice, all of that sense of responsibility. And you just feel that a superpower, essentially. Before, I used to feel like I'm playing a character. Now I am that character. You know, I've kind of manifested who I wanted to be, which is who I am now. Now, even when I don't wear my turban, I still stand for all those things. I've been tying my turban for over 18 years now. I tie my turban in three minutes. It used to take me half an hour, but still nothing's changed from that half an hour to those three minutes. I still feel that sense of pride, passion and spirituality. And I'm very, very grateful each and every morning when I take my turban. I count my blessings. So not every Sikh wears a turban and that's due to personal reasons. Some people might not feel comfortable. They might not feel ready yet. They might not feel ready for that responsibility. Every Sikh is a practicing Sikh. At the end of the day, the word Sikh means student.

Women of the Sikh faith also wear turbans, but it's more common for a baptized Sikh woman to wear a turban. A baptized Sikh woman refers to the term Amrit Shak, which means they've taken nectar and they abide by the Sikh code of conduct. But this isn't the same for men, because most Sikh men do wear a turban without being baptized. The turban is one of the most important things in Sikhi because its visual identity. When people see you, they know what you stand for. The turban stands for everything in Sikhi. When people spot a sardar, a Sikh man a mile away, they know they can come to him for help. They know what the turban stands for equality, justice, hope, everything. So when you see a turban, you're in safe hands. If someone asks me why I wear a turban, the answer is quite simple. My turban is who I am. My turban is me.

My Turban

Video length - 06.14
Published date - Sep 2026
Keystage(s) - 3 and 4

We live in a pluralistic society, where people share a variety of worldviews. So how can we live well together? One answer is secularism. Secularism is a way of organising society that guarantees freedom of religion or belief, and equal treatment for everyone on those grounds. No religion or worldview gets preferential treatment or any special powers over the state’s decision making. Instead the state aims to be impartial. Secularism is supported by many religious and non-religious people alike.

This animation, pitched at secondary school students, introduces the core features of secularism and explains why secularists support it.

Additional resources can be found to accompany the video at https://understandinghumanism.org.uk/secularism/

What is secularism? | Humanists UK schools animation

Video length - 03.10
Published date - Sep 2026
Keystage(s) - 3 and 4
Downloadable resources

A Portrait of Prophet Muhammad  (pbuh) – is part of our ‘Portrait’ series, which brings big names from history and faith to life in just a few short minutes. In this episode, we explore the story of Muhammad (pbuh) – the last Prophet of Islam, whose teachings and message continue to inspire billions of people around the world, more than fourteen hundred years after he lived. The film follows key moments in his life, from his early years in Makkah to the revelations he receives and the challenges he faces while spreading his message of belief in one God. Through themes of perseverance, mercy, community and spiritual devotion, the film offers a fresh perspective on a life that continues to shape religious and cultural history across the world.

A Portrait of Prophet Muhammad Transcript

Narrator: Down through history, there have been special people who stand out because they were inspiring. They challenged beliefs, had new ideas, and sometimes even changed the world. One of those people is the Prophet Muhammad. Peace be upon him. And here is a portrait of his life.

Instead of a picture this is his name in Arabic. Muslims believe that the Prophet Muhammad was chosen by God, who they call Allah, to spread the religion of Islam. No pictures of Muhammad are allowed to make it clear that Muslims only worship Allah who is unseen and not people or idols. In 570 CE, Muhammad was born in the Arabian city of Makkah. His father died before the birth and his mother died when he was only six. So Muhammad was brought up by his grandfather and then by his uncle. Muhammad started out as a shepherd, then became a businessman and eventually married his boss, a widow called Kadija. In the centre of Makkah there was a cube shaped building called the Kaaba, filled with 360 idols.

Every year during the month of Ramadan, there was a party when people made sacrifices to gods and goddesses. So Muhammad would leave town, climb a nearby mountain to a cave he'd found, and pray to Allah, the one unseen God he believed in. Muslims believe that when Muhammad was 40, the angel Jibreel appeared to him in the cave, bringing a message from Allah. These messages continued for the rest of Muhammad's life. They were memorised and written down by his friends and eventually put together to become the Muslim holy book called the Quran. Muslims were given a hard time in Makkah. Some were even tortured and killed. But the people of another city, Yathrib, invited the Muslims to join them, and it became known as Madinat ul-Nabi, the city of the prophet, but Makkah's rulers wouldn't leave them alone. And there were three big battles before a peace treaty was signed.

When the people of Makkah broke the treaty, Muhammad led a huge army against them, and the rulers of the city surrendered without a fight. Muhammad roared into Makkah and went straight to the Kaaba. He circled it seven times and smashed the idols, restoring the building as a place of worship for Allah. Today, Muslims still follow in Muhammad's footsteps and circle the Kaaba like he did. Prophet Muhammad died in Makkah in 632 CE. By then, Islam had spread throughout Arabia and soon it would reach out into the rest of the world. Muhammad was the final prophet of Islam and his job was done.

A Portrait of Prophet Muhammad

Video length - 02.58
Published date - Sep 2026
Keystage(s) - 3 and 4
Downloadable resources

Meet Adam and Ali, a married couple sharing their journey of love, faith, and what it means to build a life together across religious traditions.

Adam, who is Jewish, and Ali, who is Muslim, invite us into their everyday lives as they reflect on how their relationship has shaped their understanding of both Islam and Judaism. The film explores key moments in their story, from meeting and falling in love, to navigating family, community, and faith as a couple.

Alongside these moments, we see how shared experiences, especially cooking and eating together play an important role in their relationship. Through food, Adam and Ali bring their cultures and traditions into the same space, creating something that reflects both of them.

It’s an intimate snapshot of a modern interfaith marriage, highlighting themes of love, identity, belonging, and the ways different faiths can connect, overlap, and work together in everyday life.


Adam and Ali: Our Interfaith Story

Video length - 06.25
Published date - Jun 2026
Keystage(s) - 3 and 4

As part of our ongoing “Portrait” series which brings big names from history and faith to life. In this film, we explore the story of Siddhartha Gautama—the man who became known as the Buddha, whose teachings have inspired millions of people around the world for two and half thousand years. The film follows the key moments in the Buddha’s life, from his sheltered upbringing as a prince, to the moment he left his royal life behind in search of answers about suffering and human existence, and on to his journey through meditation, self-discovery, and enlightenment beneath the Bodhi tree. It’s an animated snapshot of a life that shaped spiritual thought across the world, packed with themes of compassion, wisdom, inner peace, and the search for meaning.

 


A Portrait of The Buddha

Video length - 03.00
Published date - May 2026
Keystage(s) - 3 and 4
Downloadable resources

Come and join us for Vesak – the Buddhist festival that celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and the passing of the Buddha, observed by millions around the world. Vesak is one of the most important festivals in Buddhism, offering a time for reflection, compassion, and spiritual growth.

Here, we explore the meaningful traditions and practices associated with Vesak, with a focus on observances at the vihara (Buddhist temple). Throughout the day, devotees gather to offer flowers, candles, and incense before the Buddha’s statue – which symbolise impermanence, light, and respect. You’ll see moments of quiet meditation, hear the rhythmic sound of chanting, and learn about the teachings that encourage mindfulness and understanding, rooted in the life of Siddhartha Gautama – the Buddha, the founder of Buddhism.

Acts of generosity and kindness are also central to Vesak, as people take time to give to charity, support their community, and reflect on living a more compassionate life. The calm and reflective atmosphere of the vihara highlights the core Buddhist values of peace, mindfulness, and compassion, inviting you to pause and think about your own actions and intentions.

Vesak TrueTube Transcript

Interviewee 1: Today we are celebrating Vesak.

Interviewee 2: Vesak symbolises Buddha's birth.

Interviewee 3: Attaining enlightenment. And passing away of Buddha 2,600 years ago.

Voiceover:    Happy Vesak! Vesak is the most important festival in the Buddhist calendar, and it’s celebrated on the first full moon of May. It’s a time when Buddhists like me remember the events of the Buddha’s life - in particular his birth, his Enlightenment and his death.

Interviewee 4: The Buddha, it directly translates to the enlightened one. But Buddha was actually a person like you and me.

Voiceover:    Buddha is a title which was given to a man called Siddhartha Gautama. He was a prince who had lived a life of luxury, but he wasn't happy.

Interviewee 1: One day he decided when he went out of the palace grounds, he just saw a lot of suffering in the world, and he wanted to try and do some good.

Interviewee 4: And he followed lots of teachers, but unfortunately, none of them was able to identify the cause of suffering.

Voiceover:    The Buddha sat down in the shade of a tree and meditated until he found the answer. He was enlightened! He realised that people suffer because they want the wrong things, so the answer was to stop wanting them, and his teaching still helps us to live simpler, more centred lives. We believe that when someone dies, their atman - their real spiritual self - will be re-born in a new body, but because the Buddha was Enlightened, he attained what we call Nirvana or Nibbana instead.

Interviewee 2: In Buddhism, we learn that enlightenment means you attain nibbana.

Interviewee 5: Nibbana is when you are not born again, you free from any sort of luxury.

Interviewee 1: And nibbana is basically a state of bliss.

Voiceover:    This is our Vihara - our temple. It’s where the bhikkhus live, which is what we call the monks - men who have committed their whole lives to the Buddha’s teachings. The vihara is given a thorough spring clean before the festival begins. We all wear white clothes to symbolise purity and simplicity. The first thing we do is raise the Buddhist flag.

Interviewee 4: Buddhist flag was designed by a gentleman called Colonel Olcott, who came from America to Sri Lanka in search of Buddhism. Now this has six colours, and they are supposed to be colours that emanated from Buddha when he became enlightened.

Interviewee 6: Vesak is celebrated in almost all Buddhist countries in different ways. All the Buddhists come together and reunite in charitable causes.

Interviewee 4: We are making offerings as a sign of gratitude and veneration. Mostly we offer flowers and incense and also light the lamp.

Interviewee 2: Some people celebrate at home because they can't go to the temple, and they light lanterns and they pray.

Interviewee 5: Today I'm looking forward to singing devotional songs that kind of sum up Buddhism.

Voiceover:    The Bhikkhus lead us in meditation and give talks throughout the day.

Interviewee 5: What I like best about Vesak is spending time with friends and family in the temple.

Interviewee 4: I like the lovely sermons that are given.

Voiceover:    And it's good to get together and enjoy some food.

Interviewee 7: Temples don't indulge in meat or fish. It's all vegetarian food.

Interviewee 8: It's a day to show my gratitude to the Buddha for teaching the doctrine that he taught to the world, and for giving us the opportunity to follow the path that he took. People get together in communities and they celebrate it as a society.

Interviewee 4: We want to exhibit the goodness across the whole world.

Interviewee 1: It's a day of gratitude. It's to show respect to the teachings that we are learning. After all, we're Buddhists because we believe in the teachings of the Buddha.

Interviewee 8: What it means to me, especially today, is basically recenter myself and bring myself right back into the right path.

Interviewee 1: Sometimes life is really hard, and it's nice to come to a really peaceful environment and not be judged and just be allowed to do you however you want. So that's what Vesak means to me.

Vesak

Video length - 05.44
Published date - Apr 2026
Keystage(s) - 3 and 4

Meet Angus, a young man using social media to challenge expectations around male body image. Angus is a body positive content creator working in the fashion industry. This film, made with the BFI Film Academy, follows his personal journey through confidence, identity, and self-acceptance, as he opens up honest conversations about body positivity for boys and young men. Through candid reflection, Angus explores the pressures surrounding appearance and the impact they can have on mental health and self-worth. Intimate and direct, the film highlights why these conversations matter and how shifting them can create meaningful change.

Body Positive Transcript

Angus:    I think there's a very outdated body image standard for men. Me posting what I do and the content that I make actively challenges that standard. What you see online isn't what you see every day. There shouldn't. There shouldn't be this idealised body type that is this muscly man. A lot of what I do is fashion, and a lot of the fashion content creators that I was seeing weren't inclusive, and I thought it might be nice if I start making content around bigger people in fashion.

Producer: Would you be able to just introduce yourself?

Angus:    Um, hi, I'm Angus and I'm a body positive content creator. A lot of what I do is fashion. Um, and I was on TikTok, Instagram, um, and a lot of the fashion content creators that I was seeing weren't inclusive. And I sort of thought, hmm, it might be nice if I start making content around bigger people in fashion and plus size fashion. I just try and stay true to who I am as a person. Put that out on the internet and then try and hope that people who may feel like they're being shut down by traditional masculine views, that they can express themselves and they can have emotion and they can be vulnerable. As I was growing up, I was bullied for the way I looked. I've always been a heavy set guy.

Um, I've always been bigger. It's sort of shaped the way that I view my body now. Um, in the fact that I've sort of gone past that feeling of being bullied and feeling that I'm not accepted for the way I look to now, knowing that that's just completely not true. And just realising that when you are in the real world and not online or next sat next to your bully at school, that realistically, nobody does actually care what you look like. This is my favourite thing ever. This is a late 1960s German/French chore jacket, which sounds confusing. I try and be like really authentic and I don't try and hide anything about myself. Like I think a lot of people, if they had my body, might try and hide their body behind the clothes they wear. Um, and with the content they make, I feel like I make people feel comfortable in themselves. Um, or at least that's what I try and do. And I get a lot of lovely messages from people that have messaged me saying that my content has helped them feel more comfortable in themselves.

It's taken me quite a while to get to where I am. Um, I think even when I started off posting, there was part of me that wasn't confident. And it is difficult when you do get hate comments from people, it's difficult not to let them affect you. And there was a point where I was letting them affect my confidence. My body positivity message is mainly to men, is to make men feel comfortable in their bodies. Like not everyone has a six pack and abs and has massive biceps. Like that's just not real. Like not everyone looks like that. And it should be widely accepted that. People with bodies like mine are just the standard body for men. From an outside perspective. And what traditional masculinity is, it's someone who or a man that thinks that they can't show emotion, and they have to be this sort of permanently, mentally and physically stable rock. I think it's important to take a step back off social media and actually just get out in the real world, experience real people, talk to real people and just try and stay off social media as much as possible. I've certainly tried doing that in the last few months, and I think it just gives you a better perspective on who you are and who you can shape yourself into being.

Body Positive

Video length - 04.46
Published date - Apr 2026
Keystage(s) - 3 and 4

Join Zainab and Furvah as they explore the key similarities and differences between the Shia and Sunni branches of Islam. Through a conversational format, they discuss these denominations and their shared foundations and distinctive practices, offering insights into the historical, theological, and cultural factors that shape Muslim faith and identity.

The film highlights the differences in leadership succession after the Prophet Muhammad and the role of the Caliphs and Imams. Then it delves into such topics as the interpretation of scripture, beliefs, and core practices like daily prayer and fasting.

The film reveals both the common ground and the rich diversity within Islam, and is perfect for students and anyone interested in the history and practices of Islam.

Understanding Denominations: Islam

Zainab:    Hi, I'm a Muslim.

Furvah:    And so am I.

Zainab:    But we come from different denominations of Islam.

Furvah:    A denomination is a group or a branch within a religion.

Zainab:    I'm Sunni.

Furvah:    And I am Shia.

Zainab:    And we both believe in one God called Allah.

Furvah:    And that Muhammad, peace be upon him, was the final prophet of Allah.

Zainab:    Most of the world's Muslims are Sunni. Between 85 and 90%.

Furvah:    And 10 to 15% are Shia.

Zainab:    The name Sunni comes from the Arabic word Sunnah, which means 'clear path' because we follow Muhammad, peace be upon him's example. Like following in his footsteps.

Furvah:    We do that too. But our name comes from Shiat Ali, which means 'the Party of Ali'.

Zainab:    A party?

Furvah:    Not that kind of party, more like a political party. Because to begin with, it was politics that divided us.

Zainab:    It all started when the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, died - and the Muslims had to pick a new leader.

Furvah:    Should he be blood related to Muhammad?

Zainab:    Or should they elect the right man, whether he was blood related or not? Eventually, Muhammad's best friend Abu Bakr was elected and took the job.

Furvah:    They called him Caliph or Khalifa, which means 'deputy' or 'steward'.

Zainab:    And that means someone who looks after something for someone else, to make it clear that Abu Bakr wasn't a Prophet like Muhammad, Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. Umar was next, followed by Uthman and then Ali. Sunnis call them 'The Rightly Guided Caliphs'.

Furvah:    But some people thought that Ali should have been the leader from the start, because he was Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law - so his closest male relative - and they believed, Shias still believe, that Muhammad chose him.

Zainab:    Is this about the Incident at Ghadir?

Furvah:    Yes. What do you think happened?

Zainab:    At a place called Ghadir Khumm, Muhammad, peace be upon him, told a large crowd that Ali was a great friend.

Furvah:    Yes, but we believe that Muhammad also named Ali the next leader. When Abu Bakr was elected, Muhammad's family were still in mourning, so Ali didn't get a fair chance.

Zainab:    Ali was the fourth Caliph anyway.

Furvah:    But then a man called Muawiyah decided that he wanted to be Caliph, and he used his power as the governor of Syria to raise an army against Ali.

Zainab:    When Ali was assassinated, Muawiyah began his own caliphate, which became known as the Umayyad Dynasty, and it was run like a monarchy. So when Muawiyah died, his son Yazid took over.

Furvah:    Yazid was a tyrant. That's when Ali's son Husayn decided it was time to reclaim the leadership. But before he could gather enough support, he was met by Yazid's forces at a town called Karbala in what is now Iraq. Husayn and most of his family and followers were slaughtered.

Zainab:    This sent shockwaves throughout Muslim society. Husayn, after all, was the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him's grandson.

Furvah:    Yes, but this didn't finish off the Shias, as Husayn's death inspired many to come to Karbala to join his cause. And today, most Muslims in Iraq are still Shia.

Zainab:    The split between Sunnis and Shias remained ever since.

Furvah:    Every year Shias remember Husayn's death during Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar. On the 10th, it's Ashura, which means 'remembrance'. And in Shia communities there'll be processions which re-enact Husayn's funeral. Different cultures grieve in different ways, and not all of it is healthy. And some people might cut or beat themselves to share in Husayn's suffering and to mourn his death. But harming your body isn't allowed in Islam, whether you're Sunni or Shia. The point is that Husayn's martyrdom, his death for the cause he believed in, is an important symbol for Shias.

Zainab:    Sunni Islam continued under the leadership of the Caliphs, although they became less and less important. There hasn't been an official Caliph since the Ottoman Empire fell in the 1920s.

Furvah:    So Shias call our leaders Imams.

Zainab:    Which is confusing because that's what we call someone who leads prayers in the mosque.

Furvah:    Same here. But the word 'imam' just means someone who leads.

Zainab:    Good point.

Furvah:    Most Shias believe there were 12 Imams, beginning with Ali and then his son Hasan, and then Husayn.

Zainab:    Who died at Karbala.

Furvah:    Then Husayn's son Zayn, and so on.

Zainab:    You said, 'most Shias'.

Furvah:    Yeah, it gets a bit complicated after that because there are lots of groups within Shia Islam. I'm a Twelver because I follow the 12 Imams, but there are also Severners or 'Ismailis' because they chose a different seventh Imam called...

Zainab:    Isma'il?

Furvah:    Yes. And we also have Fivers or 'Zaydis' because...

Zainab:    They chose a different fifth Imam called Zayd.

Furvah:    Yes, you're catching on! And Nizari Ismailis still have an Imam.

Zainab:    I think this is probably the biggest difference between Sunnis and Shias. We believe that Muhammad, peace be upon him, was the Seal of the Prophets, which means that he was the last Prophet. There were no more revelations or divine messages.

Furvah:    We believe that our Imams were amongst the Ahl al-Bayt or 'People of the House', which means that they were descended from the Prophet and were not just political leaders, but spiritual guides too. They were inspired by Allah to explain and reinterpret the Qur'an.

Zainab:    Sunnis believe in the Qur'an and the Hadith - the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, reported by his followers.

Furvah:    Same. Only we have different collections of Hadith. They depend on which follower reported the saying and whether or not we trust them. We also follow the teachings of our Imams.

Zainab:    Sunnis observed the Five Pillars of Islam.

Furvah:    So do we.

Zainab:    This includes Shahadah - saying that we believe in one God and that Prophet Muhammad was his final messenger. We also have Salah - praying five times a day; Zakah - giving to charity; Sawm - fasting; and Hajj -  taking a pilgrimage to Makkah.

Furvah:    Ah, okay. So we do all of that. But our Five Pillars are different. Yours are things you do, ours are things we believe. We have Tawhid - believing in the oneness of God; Adl - believing in God's justice; Nubuwwah - prophethood; Mi'ad - the Day of Judgment and resurrection, and Imamah - the Imams' succession from the Prophet.

Zainab:    We don't believe in Imamah, obviously, but we do believe in the rest of it. We have what we call the Six Articles of Faith, which include Tawhid and Nubuwwah. We also have Akhirah, which is the belief in the afterlife -  similar to your Adl. Then we have Malaika - the belief in the Angels; Kutub - the belief in the holy book; and Al-Qadr - the belief in predestination, that everything follows Allah's plan.

Furvah:    We believe all of that too. As well as doing the things in your Five Pillars, we do things that make up the Ten Obligatory Acts. So as well as Salah, Sawm, Zakah and Hajj, we also have Jihad, which doesn't mean holy war. It means...

Zainab:    To struggle or strive. We do that. It's the struggle to be a good Muslim, isn't it? What else?

Furvah:    Khums, which is a bit like Zakah, only the money goes to education and the descendants of Muhammad. Air-bil-Maroof, which means encouraging people to do good; Nahi Anril Munkar, which is discouraging people from doing bad; Tawalia - showing love for Allah and his people; and Tabarra, which means 'disassociation' - not getting involved with people who do bad stuff.

Zainab:    Hang on, rewind a bit. You said that you do Salah?

Furvah:    For us, that means praying five times a day. Sunrise, midday, afternoon, sunset and at night.

Zainab:    I thought you only prayed three times a day?

Furvah:    We say five prayers just like you. But we might say the midday and afternoon prayers together, and sunset and night prayers together. So three prayer times - and the prayer positions are slightly different, but only slightly.

Zainab:   But what's with the stone?

Furvah:    It's a clay tile. It's called a 'mohr' or a 'turbah', and when we pray, we touch it with our foreheads. It symbolises the earth because we believe Muhammad prayed on the ground, not a carpet.

Zainab:    And I think the adhan, the call to prayer we do at the mosque, is different too. Ours mentions Allah and Muhammad, peace be upon him.

Furvah:    And ours adds Ali, otherwise are the same. And we pay our prayer leaders, the local imams. They might be called a 'shaykh' or a 'maulana', depending on where in the world you are. But I think these days, you do that as well, don't you?

Zainab:    Yeah. Back in the day, people took turns at being the imam and leading the prayers. But it's become a full time job in most mosques. We don't think of them as clergy in the same way as you though. If I'm right, you do Sawm, fasting during Ramadan, differently too.

Furvah:    Fasting is fasting. We do it the same way as you. We don't eat between sunrise and sunset, but we do fast about half an hour longer than you every day, just to make sure the sun is definitely below the horizon before we start eating.

Zainab:    Oh, okay! Controversial question coming up. Do you have temporary marriages?

Furvah:    Not really. Not any more. But all Muslims sign a contract before they get married, right?

Zainab: A nikah!

Furvah:    Well, in some circumstances, Shias are allowed to put a time limit in their contracts. So a man and a woman could agree to be married for, let's say, a year or six months. And that would be the end of it. No divorce, no arguments.

Zainab:    Well, when you put it like that.

Furvah:    It was often misunderstood or misused. So although it isn't forbidden, I don't think it happens much these days. Society's moved forward.

Zainab:    Okay, so as far as I can see, it's mainly the history of our denominations that separates us.

Furvah:    And our beliefs about Ali and the Mahdi.

Zainab:    Yes, we believe that the Mahdi is a hero who will appear in the far future to defeat evil before the Day of Judgment. We don't know who the Mahdi will be. Some Sunnis believe it will be an ordinary person who will rise up and lead us. Others believe it will be Prophet Isa (Jesus). Who knows?

Furvah:    We believe it will be one of our Imams. Which Imam depends on which type of Shia you are. Usually it's the last Imam. He's hidden from us until his time comes. For Twelvers like me, it'll be the 12th Imam. His name is Muhammad al-Mahdi.

Zainab:    Okay, but on the whole, the teachings don't seem massively different.

Furvah:    Yeah. I think most of our beliefs, and most things we do are the same.

Zainab & Furvah: What do you think?

Understanding Denominations: Islam

Video length - 09.13
Published date - Feb 2026
Keystage(s) - 3 and 4
Downloadable resources

Every year, people across the UK switch on the fairy lights, wrap up presents, and gather with friends and family — filling living rooms, high streets, and school halls with the familiar sights and sounds of the festive season. But for all the mince pies eaten and Christmas jumpers worn, how much do we really know about where Christmas comes from, how its traditions began, and why we celebrate it the way we do today?

To find out, we head onto the streets and ask people of all ages and backgrounds what they think about the origins, rituals, and deeper meaning behind this time of year. From long-standing customs to modern-day habits, from religious reflections to festive fun, their answers reveal a whole range of ideas about what Christmas truly represents.

Christmas Transcript

S1           Happy Christmas. Christmas is a Christian festival that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. You probably know the story how Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem but couldn't find anywhere to stay, so they ended up in a stable where Jesus was born and laid in a manger. They were visited by shepherds and wise men from the east, who brought presents of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And giving presents is something we still do today. But Christmas isn't just for Christians. It happens just after the winter solstice, when the nights are at their longest, and it's always been a time for families to gather together for warmth, to enjoy good food, and to hope for the return of light and life to the world.

S2           Christmas is like a celebration of love and warmth, you know? It's a time where even when it's cold, you still feel a lot of warmth from those closest to you.

S3           Christmas isn't just the one day. As such, it's a period over sort of across December, up leading up to Christmas Day, where you have decorations and a tree that you place presents under for your loved ones, and the actual day is then marked by the unwrapping of the presents and the sharing of gifts and love. And then you kind of finish it off, I guess, with eating a nice meal together.

S4           It's a time that you're kind, jolly, I'd say even.

S5           I would say it's the most magical time of the year. It's very festive and it's a time when you just feel belonging.

S6           I think it's a time where people reflect on the people who need help the most. And I think it's a time where people really need support and help, the sense of belonging as well, because it's when families come together. It's when people kind of have this sense of catching up with the people that mean the most to them at that time.

S2           It's obviously a time of celebration. I'm a Christian. I also feel like it's a time to really connect with your family. You know, obviously, because the day that Jesus was born, I believe that, you know, Christmas is all about togetherness. Looking after others, especially those that are less fortunate, you know, giving back to charity, making sure that we're all looking out for each other in this time of need.

S7           I think it means like a hell of a lot of time, like family time when everyone comes together. I think it's a lot of connection for everyone to get together.

S8           Spending time with friends and family, literally. That's like the main thing.

S5           Christmas to me is all about family. I feel like we're always busy going to school, going to work. It's the only time of year that we can spend with our family. So that's what's sentimental to me.

S4           I believe it was the birth of Jesus Christ. So that's still the original meaning for me. And, uh, people just think it's Santa Clause riding around on the sleigh, bringing them presents.

S9           The best Christmas present. When I was with my family.

S2           We tried to assemble the tree together. we like to delegate certain parts of building the tree to each other. Just so it's like us as a family. We're all building the tree, decorating the house, getting the house and the decorations ready for Christmas.

S7           We all just get together and just have a big wild bash and just enjoy it. Get the mistletoe out.

S3           We do unwrapping of presents in the morning. We will play Christmas music while we're doing it.

S4           Yeah, we have a Christmas dinner. Like a turkey or a family gathering. We'd go out and see my grandparents and just all spend the time together.

S5           We all get together and we all bring a dish and we all just celebrate at one of our houses.

S8           We do like, have a nice dinner. I'm not Christian. I don't celebrate Christmas religiously, but we still keep the warm tradition going.

S6           I grew up a Catholic in Ireland, so I think it is always seen as traditionally a religious event. Even if you don't go to church regularly.

S2           It's quite interlinked. So I'm obviously constantly reminded that Christmas is a joyous time. I'm able to give thanks that, you know, I've seen another year. I'm able to give rather than receive. And that's me trying to be Christ like and give back the same way that Jesus did as well.

S7           No, I believe everyone should just stick together. Don't believe in anything like that. No, I think everyone should stick together. The love is the love and that's that.

S8           As part of my religion, I do a charity. So we go around for around December. Every Saturday weekend we do, um, soup kitchen. I like Christmas very much. I have nothing against it. It's like it's probably the favourite times of year for me.

S6           If I could give a gift to anyone at Christmas, it would be peace of mind and a self, a belonging for everyone.

S7           My love, my love and my heart and my happiness.

S8           I'd say especially right now. Peace. Definitely. Like everyone needs a bit of peace. Everyone needs to be a bit more calm now.

S2           The world is missing a lot of love, a lot of kindness right now. So I think it's imperative that we just love each other to the greatest extent, no matter what.

S5           To the world I would give love. There's some people who just don't have a special Christmas, so I would give love to everybody.

Christmas

Video length - 05.47
Published date - Dec 2025
Keystage(s) - 3 and 4

Every year, people across the UK dress up, carve pumpkins, and head out for a night of tricks and treats — but how much do we really know about where it all began? In Halloween, we take to the streets of Dartford to find out what locals think about the origins of this spooky celebration. Blending street interviews with a look back at the ancient roots of the festival, the film explores how centuries of tradition, superstition, and pop culture have shaped the way we celebrate today. Honest, funny, and thought-provoking, Halloween uncovers the real story behind the costumes, the candy, and the fear-filled fun.

Halloween Transcript

Narrator: Bwahahahahaha! (Evil Laugh)

As the clocks go back and darkness descends, it's time for the ghosts and ghouls to come out to play. It's Halloween. But how would you explain what Halloween is?

Speaker 1:      I mean, I guess it's like explaining it is a bit strange to somebody who's never had it. Like one day where everyone just dresses up as someone, anyone really nowadays. But someone's scary usually.

Speaker 2:      It's a deeper thought of like, uh, things like ghosts and spirituality and things beyond the grave.

Speaker 3:      It's time to to be free. Be expressive. Stuff your face full of candy sweet treats while you're at it as well.

Speaker 4:      It is more a day event where you're marking the All Hallows Eve. It's kind of a day and an evening for spooky things. Scary stuff. Letting your weirdness out, I guess.

Speaker 5:      People come to your door in funny costumes and try to scare you, but it's trick or treat so you can trick them back. You don't have to give them your sweets.

Speaker 6:      Everyone's in their own different costumes. Everyone's using their own creativity for that.

Speaker 7:      Be as spooky and as scary as possible. This is the time for you to come right out of your shell.

Narrator:  Halloween is short for All Hallows Eve because it takes place on the 31st of October, the night before All Hallows Day. All Hallows Day or All Saints Day is when the Catholic Church remembers all the saints and martyrs who have died. But the roots of Halloween probably go back thousands of years to the Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter. People believed that the boundary between the world of the living and the world of the dead was at its thinnest at this time, and that the souls of the dead roamed the earth. So the people built bonfires and lit lanterns to scare off evil spirits, left food on their doorsteps to keep the demons happy, or even dressed up in disguises to avoid being recognised by the ghosts and cursed. Some of these traditions survived. After Christianity arrived in Britain. On All Souls Day, children would dress up in costumes and go from door to door begging for money or food. In return, they would pray for the dead relatives of the family, or sing a song or recite a poem. In the USA, this developed into trick or treat, and we also have the Americans to thank for the pumpkin jack o lanterns. In Britain, we used hollowed out turnips or swedes with carved faces lit from inside by a candle. But has the connection to Christianity been lost?

Speaker 2:      Yeah, I think it does, in the sense that there's always been the thing about, like, ghosts and witchcraft and all that associated with, I suppose, before Catholic times. In the pagan history of Ireland, it would seem like going against the ethos of of Catholicism.

Speaker 3:      Holistically it doesn't make much of a difference. But there are some aspects of Halloween that I don't really associate myself with, especially with the horror side. For example, like, there are a lot of movies that kind of like feed into devil rituals. You know, demons and stuff like that.

Speaker 8:      It depends how religion is to be fair, because like, not really in Liverpool. I come from there. So Everyone sticks together as a big community. We all just have a big mash up of Halloween. We all just get Rah! Scary together.

Speaker 9:      Yes, we don't celebrate it because it's more like worshipping the devil, because a lot of things that scare you, like when you're looking at Halloween, it's always about zombies and stuff from the dead. So we feel like we're bringing the dead alive. And so it's like, no, we shouldn't do that. We call it a pagan holiday.

Speaker 10:    Best costume, I think Dracula, definitely. When you can do it well, it looks nice.

Speaker 1:      They were dressed up as Darth Vader, but like, that was wicked. But the way he was doing it, he had a balcony and he kept on doing that laps around it and you could hear the breathing. And I thought that was cool.

Speaker 11:    It was an inflatable dinosaur. Came to my door one day. That was quite funny.

Speaker 12:    I always love a classical witch costume. I think there's just so much stuff you can do with that. Being a witch. Yeah.

Speaker 3:      My favourite thing. I personally don't celebrate it, but I know sometimes my siblings like dressing up. So again, just my little brother, you know, running up to me, showing me what costume he's got this year. Just allowing them to have that freedom to just experience the holiday himself, dress up with other kids, you know, go trick or treating because you only get to be a kid once.

Speaker 1:      It's nice to see what everyone's like decorated their houses as, everyone's different views on it. Like people go all out like proper big decorations, like Star Wars, for example. And then some people go all scary.

Speaker 2:      I would just say, uh, eating loads of chocolate. The different types of chocolate.

Speaker 4:      I quite enjoy when people do their houses up or when you know, you get trick or treaters knocking on the door.

Speaker 3:      Definitely the the sweets and the candy.

Speaker 9:      Socially, it's probably the best days of the year because everyone comes out, everyone's walking around the streets, everyone's very happy. So it's very nice to be outside then.

Narrator:  Halloween comes at a time when it's getting colder, darker, and in the past, people would have gathered round the fire for warmth and told each other ghost stories. Today it's an excuse to dress up and have a party, but it's still a way of keeping the terrors of the night at bay.

Narrator:  Bwahahahahaha! (Evil Laugh)

Halloween

Video length - 05.48
Published date - Oct 2025
Keystage(s) - 3 and 4
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