The news cycle has moved on, but in Lebanon over a million Syrian refugees remain. Some 350,000 are camped in the Zahle region of the Bekaa Valley alone. In a recent visit to two families there, Katerina Parpa, a Communications Officer in SAT-7’s International Office, saw the possibility of change amongst their very real struggles. Imagine you have spent a […]
“MAY YOU CONTINUE TO TEACH KIDS ABOUT JESUS!”
On 12 December 2019 SAT-7 KIDS celebrated 12 years on air with a special birthday episode aired live via satellite and on social media. The mood was one of excitement and thankfulness as much-loved presenters from previous SAT-7 KIDS programmes remembered their best moments on the channel, and viewers called in to say how their lives have been impacted. “I love Marianne very much,” […]
Vulnerability Leads To Answered Prayers On Air
In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), where people are often discouraged from sharing their personal troubles, brave viewers are speaking up on SAT-7 programmes. By sharing their struggles, as well as their victories and answers to prayer, they are encouraging an audience of millions to open up and receive healing in their lives. In the MENA, sharing personal […]
Overturning a “Major Problem” in the Arab World
“There’s a major problem in the Arab world,” says Dr Ihab Maged (below), presenter of The Coach, which airs on SAT-7 ARABIC. “There’s a lack of awareness of how to raise children in a healthy way.” The majority of cultures in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are based on a patriarchal model where women and children are not […]
Women Find Freedom in the “Choose Life” Challenge
Some think of New Year’s resolutions as wonderfully motivating; others think of them as amazingly pointless. Whatever your opinion, goal setting continues to be an extremely popular way to make progress in life. But what if you just don’t know where to start? “Every woman wants to change for the better, but most are clueless about how,” explains Maggie Morgan, […]
Championing children’s rights in the Middle East
In a region where childhoods are often cut short, Christian broadcaster SAT-7 KIDS is a champion for children. On Universal Children’s Day (20 November) and year-round, the channel raises awareness of children’s rights among its young viewers, their parents, and wider society in the Middle East and North Africa. This is the first time I’ve heard a compliment about my […]
THE BRIEFING – NOVEMBER 2019
Lebanon last month joined the wave of unrest that has swept across several countries that were barely affected by the 2011 uprisings. Some commentators are already talking about an “Arab Spring 2.” In reality, the protests are in many ways a continuation of the same anger with authorities and demands for change that we saw in 2011. Sadly, protests in […]
Building Peace at Ground Level
Bold initiatives are taking place in Lebanon to build peace between Christians and Muslims in a society where religious identity often defines where you live and go to school, as well as where you worship. Dr Martin Accad, a specialist in Christian-Muslim relations, spoke on SAT-7 ARABIC’s On the Go programme about the initiative “Bread and Salt”, an exciting project that promotes respect […]
A Year of Tolerance in the United Arab Emirates
What has it meant for the country and for the Christian guest workers who represent 9% of the population? For the 10 million people living in the United Arab Emirates, 2019 has been the Gulf state’s “Year of Tolerance”. In a country where 89 per cent of the population are expatriates, the government initiative aims to “reject extremism” and “entrench […]
Afghanistan – Hope for a hurting land
On 19 August Afghanistan will mark a century of independence from British influence. But after 40 years of near continual warfare and insecurity, few Afghans are in a mood to celebrate. But growing numbers are responding to SAT-7 programmes that offer practical help and a counter-cultural message of love and forgiveness. The dream came twice in quick succession, so Behzad […]