Sunday

As Hezbollah confirms the death of its leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah in an airstrike on Beirut, hear about the religion and politics behind Hezbollah from Fawaz Gerges - Professor of International Relations and Contemporary Middle Eastern Studies at the LSE. And William talks to Myriam Shwayri from the Al-Khafat Foundation about efforts to evacuate disabled adults and children from areas affected by explosions in the city. Abortion clinic 'buffer zones' have come into force in Scotland with similar areas on the way for England and Wales by the end of October. William talks to two women on either side of the debate. 'He was ebullient, generous-hearted, kind to many, and an inspirational figure. But alongside that, hiding in plain sight, was someone who manipulated and controlled others, bullied and sought to abuse his power.' That is how Mike Pilavachi, the disgraced Anglican priest and former leader of the Soul Survivor church and festivals, is described in the latest report into the scandal. We hear from Richard Scorer, head of abuse law at Slater and Gordon solicitors, about the ‘Independent Review into Soul Survivor’ led by Fiona Scolding KC. Sikh sacred music, also known as Kirtan, has officially become part of the musical examination system in the UK. This has all been pioneered by Harjinder Singh, a music teacher from Birmingham who set up an academy to teach young people how to play traditional stringed Indian instruments. PRESENTER: WILLIAM CRAWLEY PRODUCERS: CATHERINE MURRAY & KATY DAVIS STUDIO MANAGERS: KELLY YOUNG & SIMON HIGHFIELD EDITOR: CHLOE WALKER

Four senior Church of England bishops have accused Israel of acting above the law in the West Bank. In a letter sent to The Observer newspaper, they have called on the UN to move beyond strongly worded resolutions and they say there is little distinction between state and settlor violence. The bishops say the letter has been prompted by the forceful dispossession of a Christian family from their ancestral land outside Bethlehem. Emily Buchanan speaks to one of the signatories, Bishop of Southwark, Christopher Chessun. Our correspondent Hugo Bachega gives us the latest about the situation in Lebanon, where Hezbollah has confirmed that two senior commanders were killed in a strike on the capital Beirut on Friday. Since then Israel has claimed to have hit hundreds of Hezbollah rocket launchers while Hezbollah in turn has fired rockets into Israel's northern region. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, said the earlier pager and walkie-talkie explosions which killed 39 people and wounded 3000 violated international humanitarian law. A new documentary investigates abuse and death at an Indian residential school in Canada run by the Catholic Church between 1891 to 1981. As production of the film developed, Julian Brave NoiseCat’s (one of the Directors), own story became an integral part of the film. Emily Buchanan speaks to Julian and his co-director Emily Kassie. Presenter: Emily Buchanan Producers: Bara'atu Ibrahim & Alexa Good Studio Managers: Amy Brennan & Mitchell Goodall Editor: Tim Pemberton

The French Catholic Church has said it will open its files on Abbé Pierre, the priest regarded as something like a modern saint until allegations of sexual harrassment and assault were made against him. The Abbé, who died in 2007, was revered for his pioneering work in setting up Emmaus International which cared for homeless and poor people. Edward speaks to the Paris-based writer Andrew Hussey about reaction to the story in France, and Pat Jones, author of a recent report on the Catholic Church culture and clerical abuse. The Jewish campaign group Nahamu has produced a damning paper on the quality of education in some schools run by the ultra-orthodox Charedi community. Edward talks to its founder Yehudis Fletcher. The Quakers are celebrating 400 years since the birth of their co-founder George Fox. Edward visits his modest memorial in Bunhill Fields in East London and finds out about the other famous non-conformists buried in this part of the city. PRESENTER : Edward Stourton PRODUCERS: Dan Tierney and Catherine Murray STUDIO MANAGERS: Jack Morris and Kelly Young EDITOR: Chloe Walker

Pupils in England start the new term this week, but will schools ensure that tensions from the riots don't make it into the classroom? We hear from one pupil who was worried about leaving her house after violence erupted on her street in Liverpool and from a headteacher making his school a safe place to talk about anxiety, misinformation and racism. Hear from the Hijabi sex educators helping Muslim women have honest conversations about their bodies and intimacy. As fans scramble for tickets for the reunion, broadcaster Terry Christian talks about the Irish Catholic background that formed Oasis. China and the Vatican get ready to re-sign the controversial and secret agreement that attempts to bring together two versions of the Chinese Church: one underground loyal to Rome and the other state sanctioned and overseen by the Communist state. Is it a betrayal of Chinese Catholics as some critics have said? The Pulitzer prize winning author Marilynne Robinson tells William about the enduring literary and cultural value of the Book of Genesis and why she chose it as the subject for her latest work.

The word ‘church’ was not used to describe hundreds of new Church of England congregations, initiatives and community groups set up over the last decade. Research by the Centre for Church Planting Theology and Research, at Cranmer Hall, Durham, found that in the past ten years, around 900 so-called “new things” have been started in 11 dioceses. But none of the dioceses used the term “church” as its main description of those ‘things’. Rev Canon Professor Alison Milbank, theologian and author of The Once and Future Parish (2023), and Rev Canon Dave Male, the Church of England’s co-director for vision and strategy, discuss if this is simply about the choice of language or something deeper? In light of the government's emergency measures put in place in prisons, we’re joined by the lead bishop for prisons, the Right Reverend Rachel Treweek, and David Spencer, Head of Crime and Justice at Policy Exchange, to explore the sentencing of young people and whether custodial sentences are helpful in the long term. Following Kamala Harris’ acceptance of the Democratic nomination for president, we speak to theologian Brad Onishi, Professor of Religion at The University of San Francisco and co-host of the ‘Straight White American Jesus’ podcast, to get his view on how the two candidates appeal to the US religious electorate. Presenter: William Crawley Producers: Alexa Good, Bara’atu Ibrahim and Katy Davis Studio Managers: Simon Highfield and Jack Morris Editor: Tim Pemberton

President Zelensky takes the counterattack on Russia to another front with a bid to outlaw the Moscow-controlled Ukrainian Orthodox Church next week. We're asking how your place of worship is tryng to go green? Is it heatpumps or retrofitting? Were there battles on the way? It comes as Emily hears the story of St John's Church in Waterloo which went through court battles and massive bills in the quest to become energy efficient. There's concern from human rights groups about Iraq's plan to halve the age of marriage for girls to 9, We hear from Iraqi-born campaigner Payzee Mahmod and BBC Middle East Editor Sebastian Usher. The Right Reverend Timothy Dudley Smith died aged 97 this week, leaving a monumental legacy of more than 400 hymns. We talk to composer and conductor Noel Tredinnick about the talent of TDS. Astronaut Barry 'Butch' Wilmore is stranded on the International Space Station with his colleague Sunita Williams, until Nasa can work out how to bring them home. In the meantime we've been talking to his Pastor Tommy Dahn from Providence Baptist Church in Texas about Barry's faith, his role as a lay Elder and how Space missions have solidified his belief in God. And the new Faith Minister was announced this week. Lord Khan takes up the role. What do faith leaders need from him in the wake of the riots this month and division caused by the conflict in Gaza? We talk to Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg and Shayk Ibrahim Mogra. PRESENTER: EMILY BUCHANAN PRODUCERS: CATHERINE MURRAY & LINDA WALKER STUDIO MANAGERS: SHARON HUGHES AND JONATHAN ESP EDITOR: TIM PEMBERTON

The language around the attempted assassination of Donald Trump as divine intervention or miraculous and the consequence naming of him in Republican circles as 'God's anointed one' has brought into focus the key role of religion in US politics. How do Trump and his followers use religion and why did he pick a recent convert to Catholicism to be his VP? We speak to Lauren Kerby, Visiting Fellow in Religious Studies at Princeton. Nigeria’s Catholic bishops are objecting to a European Union aid agreement that comes with strings attached – it insists that the governments being helped should adopt progressive policies. Should aid to developing countries be conditional on progressive reforms? To discuss we’ll be joined by Gideon Rabinowitz, Policy Director of Bond, and Professor Sir Paul Collier. Details have emerged of the first archaeological evidence of the Christian community in Bahrain before it was overtaken by Islam in 600s. We speak to Professor Tim Insoll, from the University of Exeter and honorary archaeological advisor to the King of Bahrain, about what it tells us about the religious history of the country and wider Muslim-Christian dialogue. An enormous mural on the side of a Jewish community centre in Finchley Road, Hampstead, was unveiled on this week. Measuring 87 feet high and 47 feet wide it celebrates Jewish London history with a montage of famous people and events. The artist who has designed and painted it, Leon Fenster, meets Emily Buchanan on site to discuss his work. Presenter: Emily Buchanan Producers: Alexa Good and Rosie Dawson Production Coordinator: David Baguley Studio Managers: Mitch Goodall and Kelly Young Editor: Tim Pemberton

Edward Stourton takes a look at the religious and ethical issues of the week.

With less than two weeks to go until the UK heads to the polls in the general election, the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has once again affirmed how his Hindu faith helps him stay strong, while Keir Starmer has pledged to work with faith communities if he is elected, despite not being a person of faith himself. So does it matter where a Prime Minister stands on faith? Joining us to discuss the issue are Alastair Campbell, who famously advised former PM Tony Blair when he stated "We don't do God" and Dominic Grieve, a former Conservative Attorney General who is an Anglican. The Archbishop of Canterbury has declared his concern about the civil war in Sudan. Justin Welby appealed to outside countries to stop supplying arms to the two sides. And at the UN in New York the Sudanese government has accused the United Arab Emirates of providing weapons to the so-called Rapid Support Forces who have been fighting the army, we’ll be looking at the latest situation in Sudan. The Church of Scotland have confirmed they’re selling off an unprecedented number of churches and manses, we’ll be looking at why. An agreement which ended violence around an Orange Order parade dispute in north Belfast has collapsed. Talks to maintain the 2016 deal broke down last week, with a march past Ardoyne shops now being sought on the evening of 12 July. A protest by a nationalist residents’ group is planned in response. We’ll be looking at the history of the event and consider the impact on the faith communities in the area

As politicians promise to make us richer, our panellists – Rt Rev David Walker, Quassim Cassam, Seeta Suchak and David Landrum - take a moral approach to the party manifestos. The campaigner against forced marriage, Jasvinder Sanghera, who has just been made a dame, tells her own astonishing story. And a medieval historian, Hannah Skoda, explains why women with beards were considered holy. Presenter - Emily Buchanan Producers - Peter Everett & Rob Cave Production Coordinator - David Baguley Editor - Tim Pemberton

The world’s first Sikh court opened recently in the UK. Campaigner Pragna Patel of Project Resist has called it ‘a threat to women’s rights’. The barristers behind the court argue that it’s a way of plugging a gap in the legal system that’s desperately needed. Pragna and Sharan Bachu, Lead Family Judge at the Sikh Court, debate the issues. The leading Protestant theologian, Jürgen Moltmann, died this week. We talk to Miroslav Volf, Director of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture, about the man who found God in a prisoner-of-war camp and his theology of hope. Is cricket based on drinking culture and does this unfairly affect the opportunities available to Muslim players? We’re joined by ex-England cricket player Azeem Rafiq and commentator Vic Marks who discuss the culture of the game. Is woke a religion? Professor Eric Kaufmann from the University of Buckingham and Professor Will Davies of Goldsmiths, University of London explore whether the movement is religious. Presenter: William Crawley Producers: Alexa Good, Rosie Dawson and Peter Everett Editor: Rajeev Gupta

As the Pope apologises for using a homophobic slur, we hear from an openly gay priest, Fr James Alison, who claims that in the Catholic Church a majority of the clergy is homosexual. We also hear the views of the Pope’s biographer, Austen Ivereigh. Ahead of commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings, the historian Sarah Meyrick tells us about the men who went ashore unarmed – the D-Day chaplains. Over 60% of Muslim women in the UK have not had their marriages legalised under UK law, leaving them vulnerable and unprotected in the event of a divorce. Solicitor and family law specialist, Aina Khan joins us to discuss a petition to reform the 1949 Marriage Act, that she says is not ‘Fit For Purpose’. Sheikh Ibrahim Mogra voices his thoughts on how much responsibility should lie with Imams like himself. ‘Birthmarked’, a play currently on tour in the UK, tells of the complexities of "disfellowship" from the Jehovah's Witnesses. Playwright and actor Brook Tate explains how going against biblical teaching – by being actively gay - forced him out. He tells us how the play has helped him to reconcile his feelings towards the family, friends and religion he left behind. Presenter: Rima Ahmed Producers: Alexa Good and Bara’atu Ibrahim Editor: Jonathan Hallewell

Swiss singer Nemo has won the Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden, with their song The Code. The contest in Malmo Sweden has been marred by protests about the Israel Gaza conflict threatened to derail the event. Emily Buchanan gets an update rom BBC reporter Sophie Yardley and Dr Paul Jordan, an expert on Eurovision whose thesis, The Eurovision Song Contest: nation branding and nation building, examined the political changes in the competition. For the fifth time, Vladimir Putin took the oath of office and was sworn in as Russia's president for a new six-year term in the Kremlin Palace before being blessed by Patriarch Kirill in the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. Where he was likened to Alexander Nevsky - known for fighting off raids of Teuton knights. Patriarch Kirill claimed “God himself entrusted the service of Russia to you". How do these events shape the identity of the Russian Orthodox Church? Sunday programme hears from Katharine Kelaidis, Director of Research and Content at the National Hellenic Museum. Litany is a made to measure clothing small business in New York. Driven by their faith, Co-creators Veronica and Olivia started their business to provide women with garments that are worthy of wearing. Emily Buchanan hears from co-founder Veronica, about how her Christian faith inspires her fashion brand. Presenter: Emily Buchanan Producers: Bara'atu Ibrahim & Linda Walker Production Coordinator: David Baguley Editor: Jonathan Hallewell

The way many Muslims have voted in the local elections this week has raised some difficult questions for Labour. We hear from Shaista Aziz one of ten Labour councillors in Oxford who resigned in the autumn over the party's position on the Gaza conflict, and Stephen Fisher, Professor of Political Sociology at Oxford University, on what it could mean for a general election. Lama Rod Owens is one of a new generation of Buddhist teachers centred on living in a just way, with a focus on social change, identity and spiritual wellness - with many of his practises taking place online. He’s currently on tour in the UK and joins us to discuss how his Methodist upbringing in America’s South has helped form his unique practise of Tibetan Buddhism. The government announced this week that it was consulting on whether to lift current rules that mean faith schools can only offer up to 50 percent of their places to pupils on the basis of religious belief. The Catholic Education Service has been lobbying for over a decade and claims it’s previously held back from opening schools because of the restrictions. Sir Edward Leigh MP, Conservative MP and former President of the Catholic Union, and Dr Ruth Wareham, Lecturer in Philosophy of Education at the University of Birmingham, discuss whether we’re likely to soon see more Catholic free schools being established, whether lifting the rules will increase divisions in society, and if high performing faith schools are the result of them being more socially selective. Presenter: Edward Stourton Producers: Alexa Good & Rosie Dawson Production Coordinator: David Baguley Editor: Tim Pemberton

As the malaria vaccine is rolled out across sub Saharan Africa, medical experts are concerned about the impact of anti vaccine sermons from influential religious figures. An example is Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, a multi-millionaire televangelist in Nigeria whose promotion of anti-vax conspiracy theories risks undercutting the country's efforts to deal with malaria. William Crawley speaks to Julius Ogunro, a media and political consultant in Abuja who's been writing about the pastor's anti-vax views. Lady Bushra has been gracing stages across the UK and America with a drag and comedy act representing South Asian communities, wearing traditional Desi makeup and rocking a Saree. Behind the make-up is the Bradford-born artist and performer Amir Dean, who spoke to William Crawley just before one of his shows in Manchester. As Humanists UK release a book of interviews called ‘What I Believe’, we ask what they do believe, apart from the assertion that there is no God. We hear from Andrew Copson, Chief Executive of Humanists UK and Nichola Raihani, Professor of Evolution and Behaviour at University College London. Presenter: William Crawley Producers: Bara'atu Ibrahim & Peter Everett Production Coordinator: David Baguley Editor: Jonathan Hallewell

Parishioner's in Gaza’s only Roman Catholic church are marking Easter Sunday with some extra pomp and pageantry but basically as they do everyday, with prayers for food and a ceasefire. More than 500 people have been sheltering in the Holy Family Church since the outbreak of war. They’re part of the dwindling Christian community in Gaza who’ve stuck together for protection and ignored warnings to leave the northern part of the strip. Producer Catherine Murray has kept in touch with one of their members, George Antone, and tells us how they have communicated over the past six months. Former United States president Donald Trump is selling Bibles during the Easter holiday, encouraging his supporters to "Make America Pray Again". In a three-minute video posted on his Truth Social network on Tuesday, Mr Trump told supporters that "Christians are under siege" as he endorsed a large-print King James Version of the Bible complete with what he called America's "founding father documents." We’ll hear from Theologian Brad Onishi, a professor of religion at The University of San Francisco and co-host of the 'Straight White American Jesus' podcast to get his view on how the move has been received. Polynesia’s Rapa Nui was given the nickname ‘Easter Island,’ after its first-recorded European contact, on Easter Sunday, 1722. Home of the Moai and giant, stone platforms (‘ahus’), masterful feats of construction, still part of ancestral beliefs and practises today, the island is also one earth’s most remote places, with a history long shrouded in false narratives. We speak to philologist Silvia Ferrara about how new research into a wooden tablet, featuring an independent writing system, that pre-dates European influence by at least two centuries, can widen our understanding of historical religious beliefs and practises on the island. Presenter: William Crawley Producers: Bara'atu Ibrahim & Linda Walker Production Coordinator: David Baguley Editor: Tim Pemberton

Faith leaders including the Archbishop of Canterbury and Cardinal Vincent Nichols have welcomed a new report which calls for better support for asylum seekers. It comes from a commission set up to consider how refugees might be helped to integrate into society more easily. It makes a series of recommendations and suggests that the current system creates barriers to asylum seekers who want to quickly make good use of their existing skills and qualifications. The government says it's committed to ensuring refugees can take positive steps towards integration as they rebuild their lives in the UK. It's 300 years since J S Bach's setting of the Passion narrative from St John's gospel was first performed on Good Friday at the St Nicholas Church in Leipzig. This week many of the UK's cathedrals and churches will be marking the anniversary by performing it. The composer, conductor and singer, Bob Chilcott celebrates the work and reflects on what is one of the most revered of all musical settings of the Passion. Does religious education at school help young people when they get a job? Lord Karan Bilimoria, a former president of the CBI, thinks it can. He believes RE helps young people to navigate the complexity of modern belief and the diversity of worldviews in the UK today. The businessman, who is from the Zoroastrian tradition, has launched a campaign urging employers to support higher standards in religious education. We hear from Lord Bilimoria, and also from the National Secular Society who feel there are better ways to equip young people for the workforce. Presenter: Edward Stourton Producers: Jonathan Hallewell and Alexa Good Editor: Dan Tierney

Pope Francis says he won't resign, in his new autobiography released this week. We hear from the host of the "Inside the Vatican" podcast Colleen Dulle, who's read it. Should young children fast during Ramadan? We visit a school making arrangements for its Muslim pupils and hear from an Imam and GP. What role does religion play in the mass kidnappings in Nigeria? More than 250 children were abducted from their school in Kaduna State last week and dozens of women were abducted in Borno state soon afterwards. It's thought that Islamist fighters from Boko Haram are behind many of the incidents. The Catholic composer Sir James MacMillan was honoured with a fellowship of the prestigious Ivors Academy this weekend. He tells us about his stirring music and his personal faith. The new extremism definition released this week by the government has generated plenty of headlines and concern. We consider how it could influence the government's counterterror efforts and why the new definition is needed. Presenter: William Crawley Producer: Catherine Murray Editor: Dan Tierney

The Muslim holy month of Ramadan is normally a time of fasting, family and prayer for Muslims around the world. How can the people of Gaza observe Ramadan in the middle of conflict, displacement and desperate food shortages? Ghada Ouda, a journalist in Rafah in the south of Gaza, tells us about her preparations. The first ever helpline in the UK dedicated to people leaving controlling groups or experiencing religious trauma has just been set up. Terri O'Sullivan, Apostate Services Development Officer, at Humanists UK explains who is using the service. As Christians mark the fourth Sunday in Lent, Mothering Sunday, we ask is it ok to avoid church? Lizzie Lowrie discusses the alternative liturgy she helped create for those who find the day difficult. Editor: Dan Tierney Presenter: Emily Buchanan Producers: Alexa Good and James Leesley Studio Managers: Simon Highfield and Kelly Young Production Coordinator: Pete Liggins

More than 100 Palestinians died trying to get food from an aid convoy earlier in the week. We hear from Gaza's small Christian minority, most of whom have been sheltering in two churches, as well as from ICRC's Matt Morris on the challenges aid agencies face in getting aid across to a people on the brink of starvation. The 26-year-old artist claimed a record-breaking six prizes, including Best Artist and Best Album. She also became the first woman to win songwriter of the year. Raye is outspoken about her life as a committed Christian, and has even suggested that God saved her from taking her own life. She's talked about her faith to the BBC music correspondent, Mark Savage. The prime minister's dramatic appearance at the Downing Street lectern on Friday night, warning of extremists "trying to tear us apart", followed days of roiling political turmoil; the row over the now former Tory MP Lee Anderson claiming that the Mayor of London is "controlled" by Islamists, the claim by another Tory MP, Paul Scully, that parts of London and Birmingham are "no-go areas". All these things played into debates about extremism, race and religion. A report by Jasdeep Bahia looks into one of those so-called no-go areas, and Edward Stourton speaks live to Hope Not Hate's Nick Lowles who conducted a poll on Tory Islamophobia, as well as Tory MP Paul Scully. Editor: Tim Pemberton Presenter: Edward Stourton Producers: Bara'atu Ibrahim & Linda Walker Studio Managers: Sue Stonestreet & Mike Smith Production Coordinator: David Baguley