Sunday

Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

Religion & Ethics

A look at the ethical and religious issues of the week

BBC Radio 4 FM

Sunday: Sikh scriptures; The church in wartime; Interfaith dialogue during Ramadan

03/04/2022

Sikh scriptures; The church in wartime; Interfaith dialogue during Ramadan

BBC Radio 4 - Sunday, Sikh scriptures; The church in wartime; Interfaith dialogue during Ramadan

Dr Rowan Williams reflects on the role of the Russian Orthodox Church in the current conflict in Ukraine.
Interfaith dialogue during the holy month of Ramadan.

How should religious leaders respond in times of war? The primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill has been severely criticised for endorsing his country's invasion of Ukraine. The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, a leading scholar of eastern Christianity, tells us how he feels about Kirill's failure to even call for a ceasefire. Also, it's forty years since the Falkland Islands were occupied by Argentina, sparking a war with Britain in the south Atlantic. We reflect on whether church leaders at the time got the tone right, when they publicly called for prayers for the families of Argentinian as well as British servicemen who died in the conflict.

The holy month of Ramadan is just beginning, when Muslims fast during daylight hours. In spite of recent tensions between some members of the Jewish and Muslim communities, a London synagogue is hosting Muslims and sharing in their "iftar" or fast breaking. The idea is to promote friendship between the two faith groups. We hear from Rabbi Hannah Kingston and Muslim, Julie Siddiqui, who is an interfaith campaigner.

Holy scriptures have been rescued from the Sikh temple in Odessa, Ukraine to keep them safe from possible Russian attacks. They were removed from the city's Gurdwara and brought to the UK, where they will be temporarily displayed in the National Sikh Museum, in Derby. Simran Singh Stuelpnagel tells William Crawley about his journey across Europe, and his mission to safeguard the scriptures.

Producers: Rahila Bano and Jonathan Hallewell
Presenter: William Crawley
Editor: Tim Pemberton

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Sunday

Sikh scriptures; The church in wartime; Interfaith dialogue during Ramadan

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4