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Nigerian Pastor; Muslim Drag Queen; Humanism

The dangers of religious rhetoric on vaccine uptake. Bradford-born Amir Dean talks faith and drag performance. What does is mean to be a humanist?

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 β€˜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

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44 minutes

Broadcast

  • Sun 28 Apr 2024 07:10

All the colours of the rainbow

All the colours of the rainbow

The Covid-19 rainbows painted by children today are part of a rich and ancient symbolism.

Podcast