16/04/2023

In the lead up to Eid-al-Fitr Muslims are not eating or drinking water during daylight hours. There are some Muslims who feel they cannot break the fast with their family this Ramadan - many of those identify as LGBTQ+. Some charities and organisations have been holding events to make sure they can share an Iftar with others. We hear from the events' organisers. UN Special Rapporteur for Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, speaks about what its like for ethnic and religious minorities in the country and what plans are to protect people.It's Easter in the Orthodox tradition and people of Russian and Ukrainian heritage will be standing side by side in worship in churches across the UK. The Russian Orthodox Church has allied itself with President Vladimir Putin, echoing Kremlin rhetoric in defending the invasion of Ukraine. However, Bishop Irenei of London and Western Europe says that: 'warfare is always a sign of man’s degradation'.BBC Two's Pilgrimage is back on screens. The religious reality TV series sees celebrities take on a spiritual journey through Portugal. One of the contributors is actor Su Pollard, who was raised in the Church of England and will be telling Edward Stourton about the journey. There are renewed tensions in Iran as the government has stepped up its crackdown on women not wearing the hijab. The law is being widely flouted, but in the last week it emerged that surveillance cameras are being used to identify unveiled women. Last year there were nationwide protests after the death in custody of 22 year old Mahsa Amini, who was arrested for not wearing her hijab properly. It is now understood that a fresh wave of demonstrations is planned. As well as the hijab issue, there is also growing discontent over levels of poverty in the country. We hear the latest news from Iran and some expert analysis. Jurors who take a religious oath themselves are more likely to find a defendant who doesn't swear by almighty God guilty of an offence, according to a recent study published by Royal Holloway University of London. Should that mean swearing religious oaths in court be abolished or replaced completely with something more secular? There is a discussion with the study's author and an Anglican vicar who has a legal background.Presenter: Edward Stourton Producers: Katy Booth and Catherine Murray Studio Managers: Amy Brennan and Jonathan Esp Production co-ordinator: David Baguley Editor: Tim Pemberton