Sunday

Islam has given the world some exquisite and spectacularly beautiful art. Now, modern Islamic Art is being celebrated at Bayt Al Fann, a two-day international digital festival on 28-29 November. The event will showcase contemporary artists from across the world, who have been inspired by the Islamic tradition. It will also explore how Islamic art might evolve in the future. William Crawley meets two of the artists, British-Bahraini poet Taher Adel, who is a spoken word performer and Samira Mian who uses watercolours to paint sacred Islamic geometry. There are more details about the Bayt Al Fann website at https://www.baytalfann.com/Can faith and politics really mix? William speaks to Tim Farron, the former Leader of the Liberal Democrat Party and sitting MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale about his new book ‘A Mucky Business’ Why Christians Should Get Involved in Politics. What is your favourite Christmas carol, and why do you love it so much? During Advent, we are teaming up with the BBC Radio 3 Saturd

Albania’s Catholic Bishops have raised concerns about the depopulation of their country through migration. Edward Stourton explores the impact of this with Sister Imelda Poole, who works much of the year in Albania and is President of RENATE, an organisation dedicated to combatting human trafficking. Jazz musician Courtney Pine is back on tour across the UK performing material from his new album ‘Spirituality’. He tells the Sunday programme how religion, spirituality and jazz have all come together in this latest work. The National Association of Muslim Police is calling for the word ‘Islamist’ to be dropped from Counter-Terrorism Policing, they say it reflects negatively on Islam in general. Edward explores the nuances with Alexander Gent, Chairman of the National Association of Muslim Police and Dr Stephen Jones from the University of Birmingham Bishop Jude Arogundade, from the Diocese of Ondo in Nigeria, tells Edward of his concerns for the Christian community across the country. Harry Farley reports o

Back in September violence spread between Hindu and Muslim groups on the streets of Leicester. An inquiry was swiftly set up to look into the unrest, but the academic chosen to lead the review has had to step down just days after being appointed. William Crawley and guests examine the issues. With a week to go until the World Cup kicks off in Qatar, what is life like for women there? BBC presenter Salma El Wardany has been finding out for a World Service documentary, along with Yousra Samir who spent her adolescent years in the Gulf state.Is there a church sign that's caught your eye, with a quotation that made you think, a joke that made you smile, or a pun that made you grimace? We explore the phenomenon of the wayside pulpit. Email us: Sunday@bbc.co.uk or tweet us @R4Sunday if you’ve seen some particularly good ones! Producers: Dan Tierney and Jonathan Hallewell Editor: Helen Grady.

It's an issue which has divided the Church of England for decades, and now the Bishop of Oxford, the Right Reverend Dr. Steven Croft has become the most senior cleric in the Church to speak out in favour of same-sex marriage. But will the growing support for the bishop's stance make any difference to the future direction of the church? Ed Stourton explores the issue with Dr Andrew Goddard, he was on the Steering Group for the church's Living and Loving in Faith Project and is a member of the Church of England Evangelical Council, and Ben Bradshaw, a former Labour cabinet minister and practicing Anglican who sits on parliament's Ecclesiastical Committee.Could the Catholic tradition of abstaining from meat on Friday have an impact in tackling climate change? A new study suggests it could potentially reduce carbon emissions. Edward assesses the details with Professor Shaun Lacrom, from the Department of Land Economy at the University of Cambridge, and Bishop John Arnold, the environmental lead for the Catholic B

We have a new Hindu Prime Minister! It's the first time this has happened in the UK. So how will Rishi Sunak's faith inform his leadership? We find out from two experts.Many are dreading the cost of fuel bills this Winter - but a new faith-led campaign is offering people the chance to use free, safe, warm spaces across the UK. The Warm Welcome campaign, set up by the ChurchWorks Commission, has signed up more 2,200 organisations to the scheme and has an interactive map on its website showing where they are. We hear from one organisation and a young mum who uses it.The trial of Cardinal Zen, the former Catholic bishop of Hong Kong, is re-opening. It comes days after the renewal of the Vatican's provisional agreement with Beijing over the appointment of bishops - a deal which the 90 year old Cardinal has openly criticised. We hear the views of Lord Chris Patten, the last British governor of Hong Kong, who is himself a Catholic. And, in what's believed to be the first time in the UK, a cathedral has hosted a p

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse has published its final report. One of the key recommendations is for mandatory reporting of child sex abuse, even if that abuse is disclosed to a priest in a confessional. So, what are the implications for those churches with a confessional tradition where confidentiality is sacrosanct? William speaks to bishop Paul Mason, the lead on safeguarding for the Catholic Church in England and Wales. The Sikh community kitchens known as ‘Langar’ are coming under pressure in the current cost of living crisis. As energy and fuel prices continue to rise, so does the demand for free food. Our reporter Nina Robinson visited a Gurdwara in Coventry to see how they are coping as they prepare to feed more than five thousand people over Diwali.The theologian, poet and former archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Rowan Williams has gathered together one hundred poems from the last one hundred years which explore the themes of faith and belief, in ‘A Century of Poetry’. He discusses wit

Although the Middle East may not currently be high on the prime minister's list of priorities, faith leaders have increasingly been speaking out about her controversial proposal to move the British Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Both Israelis and Palestinians claim Jerusalem as their capital, and it’s one of the most sensitive issues in their long running conflict. As the BBC's religion reporter Harry Farley explains, if the British Embassy was relocated, it would break with decades of UK foreign policy, which until this point has been that the divided city should host consulates, rather than embassies, until a final peace agreement is reached.Thousands of Ukrainians who fled the war and came to live in the UK with host families for six months are now having to find somewhere new to live. For many host families, it's been a positive experience, but others have found it really difficult sharing their home with their Ukrainian guests. We hear from one refugee who now has to find a new home, and t

Photos emerged this week of a couple renewing their marriage vows in a Star Wars-themed ceremony in Wales. William Crawley explores the implications of themed weddings in churches.A new research project will investigate why some Muslims find it hard to access mental health services, and how more could get the help they need. We consider some of the barriers to effective treatment.The poet-singer Jake Thackray rose to fame on prime time Saturday night TV in the 1960s and 1970s with his unique style of funny, wry and bitter-sweet songs. 20 years after his death, his first full biography reveals how his working-class Catholic roots shaped the themes of social justice in his parable-like songwriting.Producers: Dan Tierney and Jill Collins Editor: Helen Grady.

For the first time in Northern Ireland’s one hundred and one year history, Census figures reveal there are more people from a Catholic background than there are Protestants. Emily Buchanan looks at what this moment means for the future of the Province. How do you engage post-millennials in the subject of Theology? Two of the finalists in this year’s ‘Theology Slam’, a competition to find new voices who think theologically about the modern world, enlighten us.The death in custody of 22 year-old Mahsa Amini has sparked waves of protest across Iran. Mahsa was arrested by the country's morality police for the way she wore her hijab. We explore how the country's strict dress code for women is igniting calls for change. C.B. Newham spent the last twenty five years documenting and photographing the contents of more than nine thousand rural Parish Churches. He explains how shifts on the world stage from politics to war to religion, helped shape the fashion for those sculptures.Leicester’s Muslim and Hindu Communi

Elvis Presley was many things to many people, but few see him as a religious figure. He recorded several songs with religious themes, including Amazing Grace and How Great Thou Art, but rarely spoke publicly about his beliefs. Now, his step-brother, Billy Stanley has co-written a book, The Faith of Elvis, telling the story of the singer's interest in religion and in particular his love of the Bible. He shares his personal memories of Elvis, and how his songs were often inspired by his Christian faith.About 10% of British Muslims are black and some have experienced racism from other Muslims. The Muslim Council of Britain has acknowledged that as a "minority within a minority" they have often been marginalised, even within Muslim communities. They have just published a report examining what life is like for black British Muslims. It brings together around 40 essays from Black, African and Afro-Caribbean Muslims in the UK. We ask what needs to change to allow black Muslims to be more widely embraced and their c

The State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II will be the biggest ceremonial event held in the UK in recent times. It will be the first state funeral since that of Winston Churchill in 1965. It will be attended by political leaders, royals and heads of state from across the world. We consider the history of state and royal funerals, and the extent to which they have adapted to reflect the country’s changing religious and cultural landscape. There has been a call for a spirit of "radical generosity" from the British people, to help reduce the number of deaths caused by the cost of living crisis. Is it enough to rely on the government to limit the effects of inflation, or do we all have a personal moral obligation to take action in supporting others who are struggling? In Islam, Zakat is a religious obligation for all Muslims who meet the necessary criteria to donate a certain portion of their wealth to charitable causes. We hear about the work of a foodbank run by Muslim volunteers and speak to the National Za

In this special edition of Sunday, Edward Stourton reflects on the late Queen Elizabeth II's relationship to faith, explores how she stood for continuity amid so much change and hears from leaders of some of the many religious groups that flourished as never before in the second Elizabethan era.Producers: Jill Collins and Julia Paul Editor: Dan Tierney

His was the shortest papacy in modern times. The sudden death of Pope John Paul I, after a pontificate of just 33 days, shocked the world and generated a host of conspiracy theories. As his beatification this weekend takes him one stage closer to becoming a saint, we speak to a man who was invited by the Vatican to investigate his death, John Cornwell, author of ‘A Thief in the Night: Life and Death in the Vatican'. The devastating floods in Pakistan have left millions of people homeless and destroyed buildings, bridges and roads. Vast swathes of the country are now under water. More than a thousand people have died, and more have been injured. Many British Muslims have joined the efforts to provide relief in the country. We hear from the Nottingham based charity, Muslim Hands, which is working in Pakistan, about the help that's needed and how people can offer support.In India, after decades of many unborn girls being aborted, new research suggests the country's sex ratio at birth is beginning to normali

Churches in Liverpool are today opening their doors to members of the community still struggling to come to terms with the shooting of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel. Olivia was killed as her mother struggled with a gunman at the door of their home on Monday. The Right Reverend Beverley Mason is the acting Bishop of Liverpool and also Bishop of Warrington. She tells William Crawley about the support they can offer.An astonishing 20,500 of Russia's estimated 165,000 Jews have left Russia since the invasion of Ukraine. According to the Jewish Agency, which helps Jews move to Israel, at least one in eight Jews has now left the country - including the Chief Rabbi of Moscow, Pinchas Goldschmidt. Many have gone to Israel, but thousands more have moved to other countries. Anna Shternshis, Professor of Yiddish Studies and a Specialist in Russian Jewish history at the University of Toronto, tells us why.One of the UK’s oldest church-based youth organisations may be about to split. The Northern Ireland section of t

How do we preserve memories of loved ones after their death? An innovative new technology has been developed that allows people to interact virtually with someone who has recorded answers to a series of questions before their death. We discuss the moral implications and hear from the actor William Shatner who has documented his own life in a video for future generations. In Iran, there are reports that authorities have arrested several leaders from the Bahá’i community and demolished homes. William Crawley speaks to Oxford law professor Dr Nazila Ghanea, who was recently appointed the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief and Iqan Shahidi, a Baha'i from Iran, who was imprisoned for 5 years for campaigning for the right of Baha’is to a university education. Does the Church of England have a class problem? We ask bricklayer turned curate, Revd Luke Larner, and Dr Liz Graveling who has recently commissioned a study on the experience of working class clergy.Producers: Katharine Longworth and Dan

The stabbing of author Salman Rushdie has again ignited the debate around freedom of speech and religious sensibilities. At this stage it's not known why the 75-year-old was attacked. The broadcaster and journalist Mobeen Azhar, who produced the podcast Fatwa, joins us to talk about the background to the threats made against Salman Rushdie after the publication of his book "The Satanic Verses" in 1988.It is already a whole year since the Taliban took over again in Afghanistan. Thousands of refugees were able to come to the UK - but a year on, up to 10,000 are still living in cramped hotels, while for those left in Afghanistan, life is even more precarious. Marzia Babakarkhail, who was a judge in Kabul, came to the UK in 2008 after the Taliban tried to assassinate her twice. She arrived with no English, but joins us to explain how now she works for the Oldham MP Debbie Abrahams on immigration and asylum seeker cases - and earlier this year ran to be a local councillor.We've talked before about the cost of livi

The former Prime Minister Gordon Brown is calling for an emergency budget to support the poorest through the autumn and winter, as the cost of living rises. He’s commissioned a report, co-signed by more than 60 faith groups and charities, which says there is a “growing gap between need and current provision” for the lowest income families. Edward Stourton is joined by Gordon Brown and Pastor Mick Fleming who runs ‘Church on the Street’, an anti-poverty charity in Burnley. The Lambeth Conference draws to a close with the dominant issue of the week being the Anglican Church’s stance on homosexuality. Two bishops with very different perspectives reflect on this and on the wider purpose of the global Anglican Communion. The singer Beyoncé's new album 'Renaissance' has gone straight to the top of the charts. Her music has often incorporated religious themes and imagery, which has made her both an empowering and controversial figure. Two fans talk about what Beyoncé means to them as black Christian women.Producers:

The UK is being pressured to explain why changes were made to an official statement on gender equality, including removing commitments to abortion and sexual health rights, following the International Ministerial Conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief, held in London earlier this month. Norway and Denmark have approached the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to protest against the changes, and an open letter to Foreign Secretary Liz Truss from more than 20 human rights, pro-choice, and international aid groups has demanded the government reverse the deletions immediately and explain why they were made. Caroline Nokes MP, who chairs the women and equalities select committee, has also written to the foreign secretary. She tells us why she's concerned.More than 650 Anglican Bishops from around the world have arrived in Canterbury for the first Lambeth conference since 2008. The conference offers an opportunity for worship, discussion and - once again, it seems - a falling out over sex. The Chur

Birmingham is gearing up for the Commonwealth Games and faith communities across the West Midlands are involved in the preparations, including Ranjit and Manpreet from Wolverhampton Wrestling Club who will both be taking part in The Queen’s Baton Relay. William speaks to them about Wolverhampton, wrestling and what it means to be a Sikh on the mat.Conservative party members are preparing to vote for their new leader and our next Prime Minister. As they decide between Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak, we discuss the candidates' religious hinterland and ask what bearing, if any, religious questions might have on the leadership race. The smash Netflix hit, Stranger Things, has just aired its fourth series. Some religious commentators say the success of Stranger Things is down to the fact that, at its heart, is the age-old battle between good and evil. In the latest series there seems to be no let up on the religious iconography. Culture writer Sophie Caledecott decodes some of the deeper, spiritual meanings at work i

In 1992 Pope John Paul II beatified just 17 individuals out of nearly 460 whose names were put forward as dying for the faith during the religious and political upheavals of 16th and 17th century Ireland. So what made these individuals stand out from the rest during this period? Former President of Ireland, Dr Mary McAleese chats to Edward Stourton about the stories she uncovered in her new book ‘The 17 Irish Martyrs’. 50 years ago, Idi Amin, then President of Uganda, ordered the expulsion of his country’s Asian minority. Around 60,000 individuals were given just 90 days to leave. Many went to Canada, India, Kenya or Pakistan. Around 28,000 came to the UK. The majority settled in Leicester where a new exhibition ‘Rebuilding Lives’ has just opened at the Museum and Art Gallery. Edward speaks to Nisha Popat, the exhibition's project leader and Mina Patel who has a personal family connection to one of the exhibits on display. Krishna Das, formerly known as Jeffery Kagel, is a Grammy-nominated vocalist wh