Richard Dawkins. Photo: wiki commons.

A leading Jewish voice will take part in a September debate on religion with famed atheist Richard Dawkings, and it will be televised on the BBC.

Jonathan Sacks, the chief rabbi of the United Kingdom, and Dawkins, one of the world’s most notable atheist voices, will join other leading religious (and anti-religion) philosopher, during a two-day event entitled ‘Re:think 2012‘.

“It’s an exciting development and something that fills a gaping hole in the understanding of religion in the world today,” said Aaqil Ahmed, head of BBC religion and ethics.

Dawkins’ ruffled some feathers in a 2007 interview given to The Guardian, claiming that Jews “more or less” control American foreign policy

“When you think about how fantastically successful the Jewish lobby has been, though, in fact, they are less numerous I am told — religious Jews anyway — than atheists and [yet they] more or less monopolize American foreign policy as far as many people can see,” said Dawkins.  “So if atheists could achieve a small fraction of that influence, the world would be a better place.”

Ahmed says the two-day event will provide a forum to discuss the world’s modern challenges , and the role that religion and politics can play in solving them.

“BBC Re:think 2012 is the place where those at the heart of faith, politics and philosophy can meet, and discuss the role of faith and ethics in modern society and the challenges facing us in the 21st century.”