Religion

America Abroad: Religious Minorities in the Middle East

Sun, 17 Mar 2013 23:00:00 +0000

Airs Sunday, March 17 at 6 p.m.
Anchored by Ray Suarez
The Arab awakening has led to a rise in Islamist governments in the Middle East – raising concerns about the rights of religious minorities. The Middle East is largely Muslim but it’s also the birthplace of Christianity, Judaism, and many other religions. Many non-Muslims have left in recent decades, leaving relatively small populations of non-Muslims and Muslim minority sects. Now, the rise of Islamist political parties in the Mideast raises questions about the rights and protections such minorities can expect or whether they can expect them at all. In this edition of America Abroad, we’ll learn about the Jewish population in Tunisia, and how they're faring under a new Islamist government there. We'll hear from Egypt about the Christian community and their reactions to a new president. And we'll provide a primer on Alawites, the minority Muslim sect to which Syria's president Bashar al-Assad belongs.

Advent Voices

Lynne Warfel — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Airs Monday, December 24 at 2:00 p.m. Advent is a time of quiet contemplation and waiting. It's waiting for darkness to become light and for hopes to be realized. Throughout the centuries Advent has been observed musically in sacred and secular ways. Join us for an hour of the most beautiful vocal music inspired by and written for Advent.

Mormon Tabernacle Choir presents Thanksgiving Blessings & Songs of Thanksgiving

Mormon Tabernacle Choir — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Airs Thursday, November 22 at 2:00 p.m. Join the renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir as they celebrate Thanksgiving in song and spoken word with Gently Raise the Sacred Strain, For the Beauty of the Earth, the Shaker Song Simple Gifts, Thou Fount of Every Blessing, As the Dew from Heaven Distilling, Thanks be to God, Look at the World, We Gather Together, Because I Have Been Given Much, and Come Ye Thankful People.

Giving Thanks with John Birge

John Birge — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 18:00:00 +0000

Airs Thursday, November 22 at 12:00 noon New for 2012: With music and stories for Thanksgiving, host John Birge creates a thoughtful, contemporary reflection on the meaning of the holiday. This year, a grateful tribute to the great writer Nora Ephron, with a warm and funny highlight of her Giving Thanks visit last year. Original Thanksgiving music in the studio with pianist Jacqueline Schwab, heard by millions for her piano music for Ken Burns' "The Civil War." A Thanksgiving blessing from Baxter Black, and a visit from poet and former NEA chairman Dana Gioia. For listeners in the kitchen, on the road, or relaxing after the feast, Giving Thanks provides the perfect atmosphere for Thanksgiving: the warmth of great music, and truly memorable words.

Birthday of the World Part 2: Yom Kipur

Leonard Nimoy — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 18:00:00 +0000

Airs Monday, September 24 at 1:00 p.m. Music and Liturgy for Yom Kipur, (The Day of Atonement) Sung by The Western Wind with Guest Cantors, Narrated by Leonard Nimoy. Leonard Nimoy and The Western Wind Vocal Ensemble explore the rich and profound musical and spiritual traditions of the Jewish High Holy Days. The Birthday of the World presents some of the most inspiring music of the Jewish Liturgy performed by The Western Wind, guest singers and four internationally renowned cantors. Musical selections include Avinu Malkeinu, Kol Nidre, El Maleh Rachamim, traditional chant and composed works by Sulzer, Secunda and Nowakowsky. A narration performed by actor Leonard Nimoy elucidates the important prayers and illuminates the deeper structure of the liturgy.