It’s boom time for Islam. According to the most comprehensive study of global religious affiliation in a decade, there are now two billion Muslims in the world. The study, conducted by Pew Research, also finds there’s an interesting twist in the data about the growth of those with no religion. CONRAD HACKETT was the senior researcher on the project.

Despite the growth of Islam, there were markedly fewer Muslims attending this year’s Hajj celebrations in Mecca. The pilgrimage is required of every able Muslim but numbers were down. The reason, however, is even more intriguing. Associate Professor MILAD HAGHANI from Melbourne University studies urban risk and resilience.

Christianity may be thriving in much of the global south but, for the Anglicans of Melbourne, times are tougher. They’re now just 5.5 percent of the population, according to the census. Will their new Archbishop be able to turn around the fortunes? RIC THORPE is currently the Anglican bishop of Islington in London, where he’s been a successful church builder. What’s his plan for the Melbourne diocese?

GUESTS:

• CONRAD HACKETT - senior researcher at Pew Research
• Associate Professor MILAD HAGHANI from Melbourne University
• Melbourne Archbishop RIC THORPE