The Religion and Ethics Report - Separate stories podcast

As wars continue in the Middle East, Africa and Europe, voices for peace still try to break through the pessimism. 
One of the most prominent is the Religious Society of Friends, or the Quakers. 
They famously won a Nobel Peace Prize after World War II. 
But how realistic is their vision in 2026? 
GUEST:
Joyce Ajlouny is general secretary of the American Friends Service Committee, a Quaker agency. She was in Australia recently.

One of the so-called ISIS brides appeared in a Melbourne court this week, charged with terrorism related offences. Rayann El Houli is one of six women linked to ISIS, who’ve returned from Syria in the past fortnight. Most have children who were born in Syria and were living in harsh conditions. But their return is confronting for one religious minority that’s found refuge in Australia. Extremism expert Professor JOSH ROOSE of Deakin University has been exploring the dilemma the ISIS brides pose for Australia.
Pope Leo’s encyclical on the dangers of artificial intelligence includes a red light about the role technology plays in the sexual trafficking of women and children. The International Justice Mission is a faith-based organisation that fights modern slavery. It’s one of several human rights groups meeting in the Vatican this week. BRIONY CAMP is the head of campaigns for IJM Australia.
As wars continue in the Middle East, Africa and Europe, voices for peace still try to break through the pessimism. One of the most prominent is the Religious Society of Friends, or the Quakers. They famously won a Nobel Peace Prize after World War II. But how realistic is their vision in 2026.  JOYCE AJLOUNY is general secretary of the American Friends Service Committee, a Quaker agency. She was in Australia recently.

One of the so-called ISIS brides appeared in a Melbourne court this week, charged with terrorism related offences. 
Rayann El Houli is one of six women linked to ISIS, who’ve returned from Syria in the past fortnight. 
Most have children who were born in Syria and were living in harsh conditions. 
But their return is confronting for one religious minority that’s found refuge in Australia.
Extremism expert Dr Josh Roose has been exploring the dilemma the ISIS brides pose for Australia.
GUEST:
Dr Josh Roose is a political sociologist and Associate Professor of Politics at the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation at Deakin University.

The deadly Ebola virus spreading through the Democratic Republic of Congo is now outpacing the ability of health workers to respond, according to the World Health Organisation. 
But medical staff aren’t just battling a virus. They’re fighting scepticism among some communities about whether the disease is real, and the role of traditional burial practices in helping to spread Ebola. 
The Anglican Bishop of Goma in the DRC, MARTIN GORDON, is overseeing a major church response.
GUEST:
Rev Martin Gordon, Bishop of the Diocese of Goma, DRC
Rev Gordon on YouTube with an update 27/05

In a powerful warning about the dangers and delusions of artificial intelligence, Pope Leo has taken on the self-styled gods of the 21st century. 
He’s used his first encyclical to argue that whatever good AI might bring, it should never be controlled by a tiny group of ultra-wealthy tech titans. 
His 43,000-word encyclical is called Magnificent Humanity. 
GUEST:
Dr Victoria Lorrimar heads the Centre for Technology and Human Futures at Notre Dame University Australia