As the world marks Earth Day (22 April), children and young people from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are sharing their hopes for the planet through song and prayer. SAT-7 filmed a beautiful music video, This is Our Land, with young people in Syria as part of its Youth for an Enabling Society (YES) project. The song calls […]
Middle East Briefing – April 2024
While conflict in the Holy Land and the fresh involvement of Iran dominates headlines, a war between generals continues to ravage Sudan, and Türkiye expresses an appetite for change in political leadership. The Middle East found itself on a knife-edge last weekend after Iran launched 300 missiles and drones at Israel – the Islamic Republic’s first direct assault on Israel […]
FLEEING WAR IN SYRIA THEN SUDAN: A FAMILY’S SEARCH FOR SAFETY
As the conflict in Sudan reaches its first anniversary, a Christian family have shared their heartrending story of having to flee two wars in the region, displaying remarkable faith and courage in the face of repeated danger and loss. George Bitar, originally from Sudan, is married to Alice, from Syria, and they have two sons, Naim (22) and Jan […]
Standing firm in the risen Christ amid Holy Land conflict
This Easter, six months after the outbreak of war in the Holy Land, SAT-7 has been broadcasting the voices of its hard-pressed Christians. In the midst of this devastating conflict, they are finding hope and peace in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Life in the war zone A recent episode of SAT-7’s current affairs programme You Are Not Alone featured […]
HOW THE CROSS CHANGED AN IRANIAN WOMAN’S LIFE
There is a story that has matchless power to touch hearts and change lives. When Leyla, a woman from Iran, first encountered the cross of Christ at the age of 15, it was a deeply emotional experience that altered the trajectory of her whole life. She shared her powerful testimony on popular SAT-7 PARS programme Signal. Surprisingly, Leyla first heard […]
SERVICE FROM BETHLEHEM CHURCH PART OF SAT-7’S EASTER COVERAGE
Live services from a church in Bethlehem and the Istanbul church where a shooting took place earlier this year will highlight the power and hope of Easter to viewers in challenging circumstances across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Good Friday and Easter Sunday services will be broadcast live on SAT-7 ARABIC from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bethlehem. […]
Man from Nazareth who hated God finds faith
“I hate God and will do until the day I see Him.” By the end of last year, Fahad* from Nazareth had seen enough. His mind was made up: God was an evil being who “turns a blind eye to injustices and does nothing in response to people being crushed”. He was certain he could not be convinced otherwise. Content […]
Iraqi church documentary brings hope in face of regional conflict
As regional tensions provoked by the war in Gaza continue to escalate, people in the Middle East feel increasingly hopeless. But the resilience shown by the people of Iraq – especially the Christian community – tells a story that can bring hope to others. This was the purpose of two special SAT-7 documentaries filmed in Erbil, the capital of Iraqi […]
Iraqi women’s stories of faith and strength in adversity
Women from Iraq have shared powerful stories of faith and strength in the face of adversity as part of two special SAT-7 documentaries that highlighted the resilience of the Church in a country blighted by conflict and instability. The stories reveal the impact of war and persecution on women in particular as they seek to care for their families, but […]
Supporting Christians in the world’s most hostile places
Eighteen countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) feature in the 2024 World Watch List that highlights the 50 most difficult places in the world for Christians. SAT-7 is strengthening believers across the region as they face persecution and oppression, through discipleship programmes on satellite TV and social media, and by offering prayer and pastoral support. Nine countries […]