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Episode 12

Episode 12 of 20

Samira Ahmed and guests debate topical ethical issues. Do Muslim face veils deepen divisions? Should Spurs fans be stopped from chanting words which some people find offensive?

Samira Ahmed and her guests discuss topical ethical issues. With chief executive of the British Humanist Association Andrew Copson, broadcaster and imam Ajmal Masroor, blogger and community activist Shalina Litt, Dr Berry Billingsley from Learning About Science And Religion, and rabbi David Singer of Belfast Hebrew Congregation.

Do Muslim veils deepen divisions?

A Muslim woman can stand trial wearing a face veil but must remove it to give evidence, a judge ruled on Monday. It comes as a Home Office minister called for a debate on girls wearing veils - or niqabs as they are known - in some public places. Jeremy Browne said he was 'uneasy' about restricting freedoms, but urged a national debate on the state's role in stopping veils being imposed on girls. His comments came after Birmingham Metropolitan College dropped a ban on students wearing full-face veils, amid protests.

Is wearing the niqab a matter of religious freedom or does the veil deepen divisions within society?

Should Spurs 'Yid' chants be stopped?

Tottenham Hotspur fans who chant the word 'Yid' should not be prosecuted, according to the prime minister.

The north London football club has a strong Jewish following and has been the target of anti-Semitic abuse. But some Spurs fans still use the word in chants in, what they regard, as a positive badge of club support. The prime minister's comments came after the Football Association warned supporters that the use of such words could result in a banning order or criminal charges. Should Spurs fans be allowed to use a term which they regard is part of their club's identity? Or should such chants - that others find deeply offensive - be banned?

Can we trust robots with our future?

Robot technology is advancing in many parts of our lives. From the military to medicine, machines that will be able to learn and adapt are being introduced across the world. Unmanned drones are used as weapons; autonomous robotic surgery is being developed in the USA; and robot care workers looking after the elderly are being investigated in Britain. Do these developments raise ethical issues, as emotionless machines replace humans? Or is this a bold future that we should embrace?

1 hour

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This week's panellists

Joining Samira Ahmed in the studio this week are Andrew Copson from the British Humanist Association; Ajmal Masroor, an Imam from London; Dr Berry Billingsley from LASCAR (Learning About Science And Religion) at the University of Reading; Rabbi David Singer of Belfast Synagogue; and Shalina Litt, presenter at Unity FM in Birmingham.

Do Muslim veils deepen divisions?

, a judge ruled on Monday. It comes as a  on girls wearing veils – or niqabs as they are known - in some public places.


Jeremy Browne said he was "uneasy" about restricting freedoms, but urged a national debate on the state's role in stopping veils being imposed on girls. His comments came after , amid protests. 


Is wearing the niqab a matter of religious freedom or does the veil deepen divisions within society?


You can have your say by - or by text during the live show.

Should Spurs ‘Yid’ chants be stopped?

Tottenham Hotspur fans who chant the word "Yid" should not be prosecuted,


The north London football club has a strong Jewish following and has been the target of anti-Semitic abuse. 


But some Spurs fans still use the word `Yid` in chants, in what they regard as a positive badge of club support. 


The Prime Minister's comments came after the Football Association warned supporters that the use of such words could result in a banning order or criminal charges.


Should the Spurs fans be allowed to use a term which they regard is part of their club’s identity?  Or should such chants – that others find deeply offensive - be banned?

Can we trust robots with our future?

Robot technology is advancing in many parts of our lives. From the military to medicine, machines that will be able to learn and adapt are being introduced across the world.  


Unmanned drones are used as weapons, autonomous robotic surgery is being developed in the USA and looking after the elderly are being investigated in Britain.


Do these developments raise ethical issues, as emotionless machines replace humans? Or is this a bold future that we should embrace?


Noel Sharkey, Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics at the University of Sheffield (via webcam); and Dr Berry Billingsley from LASCAR (Learning About Science And Religion) join the debate.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Samira Ahmed
Series Editor Dave Stanford
Producer Kuljinder Khaila
Participant Andrew Copson
Participant Ajmal Masroor
Participant Shalina Litt
Participant Berry Billingsley
Participant David Singer

Broadcast

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