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Muslim Hikers; Good Friday Agreement; Music in Church

The role of faith leaders in the Good Friday Agreement and in sustaining peace over 25 years.
The power of music in attracting newcomers to church and in keeping them away!

Tomorrow marks 25 years since one of the most significant moments in Northern Ireland's history: the Good Friday Agreement. It brought an end to decades of conflict largely between Protestant unionists and Catholic nationalists. But what was the role of churches and faith leaders in restoring peace and then maintaining it?

Is music something that draws you to church, or keeps you away? The man in charge of evangelism in the Church of England says it can both attract and repel newcomers. The Rev Stephen Hance wants the church to offer a broader variety of music, to reflect our diverse backgrounds and tastes. He says the quality of music in church is also really important. We hear his thoughts along with those of Karen Gibson, conductor of the Kingdom Choir, a London based Gospel group.

Hiking can be physically demanding, but imagine doing it while fasting. Muslim Hikers was set up in the Peak District during lockdown and they're marking the holy month of Ramadan in the great outdoors. Twenty year old Sidra Ali takes us along on her overnight retreat, following a route with newly installed wooden signs, pointing in the direction of Mecca.

Producer: Jonathan Hallewell
Presenter: William Crawley
Editor: Tim Pemberton

Photo credit: Wiggle

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44 minutes

Last on

Sun 9 Apr 2023 07:10

Broadcast

  • Sun 9 Apr 2023 07:10

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