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Halal in Harmony

Mariclare Carey-Jones visits Harmony Farm in Pontypool, where Muhsen Hussain and his family rear halal meat and run a rural holiday business.

Muhsen Hassanin and his family believe the countryside and nature have a special place in the religion of Islam. So, despite having no experience of farming, in 2015 they moved from London to Pontypool in South Wales to set up Harmony Farm. Ten years on, they now rear halal meat, grow vegetables, and welcome visitors of all faiths and none to the farm.

In this programme, Mariclare Carey-Jones finds out about the ethos on the farm, which Muhsen describes as “people care, earth care, fair share and return of surplus” - an approach linked to the family’s Muslim faith. He says “every plant you plant, you’re creating justice and balance, and Harmony Farm is born out of that understanding”. Alongside farming the animals, Muhsen is also a halal slaughter man.

As well as exploring the farm and its practices with Muhsen, Mariclare also meets Muhsen’s wife Elif, who talks about the impact the move has had on them as a family. “The first year was really difficult” she says, “but now I absolutely love it! I’m really fortunate that I get to see all of the seasons, things coming into existence and non-existence, and it just reminds me there’s a bigger picture to all of this”.

Plus, there’s a surprise in store, when Mariclare meets Muhsen and Elif’s son Abdel Malik and his reptile friends!

Presented and produced by Mariclare Carey-Jones

Release date:

22 minutes

On radio

Sunday 06:35

Broadcast

  • Sunday 06:35