Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly is a production of THIRTEEN Productions LLC for WNET. Visit www.pbs.org/religionandethics for additional information. Show #1826 will be fed over PBS at 5:00 p.m. EST on February 27 (check local listings). Due to pledge, be sure to check local listings.

New Muslim Initiatives Against Extremism – As ISIS, al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups ramp up their recruiting efforts in the West, many Islamic organizations in the US are launching new initiatives aimed at preventing radicalization. They say while the number of Americans Muslims seeking to commit acts of terror is small, the issue must be addressed. Kim Lawton looks at some of the new efforts, as well as some of the controversy that surrounds them. (Originally broadcast November 14, 2014) http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/2014/11/14/november-14-2014-muslim-initiatives-extremism/24595/

Women Leading the Observance of Purim – The Jewish celebration of Purim — reading aloud the complex and heroic account in the Book of Esther of Esther’s willingness to risk her life to save ancient Jews from annihilation by the King of Persia. Traditionally, among Orthodox Jews, the story was read aloud by men, but now Orthodox women are leading Purim services, too. Kim Lawton tells the story. (Originally broadcast March 21, 2014) http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/2014/03/21/womens-purim/22426/

India’s Sacred Cows – Hindu traditions in India insist that cows are sacred.  So, as Fred de Sam Lazaro reports, Indians still share their most modern cities with many thousands of cows they protect in the streets and take care of until they die. (Originally broadcast February 7, 2014) http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/2014/02/07/february-7-2014-indias-sacred-cows/21993/