“Hunger, famine, and unemployment are gathering momentum. Most people would be happy to die, but my hope is in the Lord,” writes Amin*, a man from Afghanistan. Almost a year since the Taliban took control of the country, SAT-7 viewers in Afghanistan are providing a window into the challenges they face every day, while also speaking of their shared hope […]
THE BRIEFING – NOVEMBER 2020
Middle East leaders and peoples have been as interested in the outcome of the US presidential elections as have those in the West. Although it is too early to see what a Biden policy towards the Middle East will be, the goals and policies of US administrations for the region affect the lives of millions. It is expected that Biden […]
THE BRIEFING – OCTOBER 2020
A long-contested enclave on the fringe of the Middle East hit the headlines this month as a new upsurge of fighting claimed at least 300 lives in Nagorno–Karabakh. This mountainous enclave (known as Artsakh by Armenians) neighbours Iran, is near neighbour to Turkey, Russia and Georgia, and sits between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Despite its majority Armenian population, it was made an autonomous zone within Azerbaijan when both states came under Russian control in the 1920s. There have been cycles of clashes since the collapse of the Soviet Union and a 1988 decision by the enclave to become as an independent republic. Full-scale fighting between 1992 and 1994 killed tens of […]
“I would like to have the peace and joy that my sister has”
The SAT-7 PARS viewer support team could not have been prepared for the amount of change that was to stem from one phone call. Talita*, an Iranian woman, had been living with an angry husband and she was beset by extreme stress and anxiety. Her way of dealing with these feelings will be familiar to many of us: ring a […]
Hashtag hits home for teenagers
Vibrant new show Hashtag is reaching the hearts of teenage viewers all over the Persian-speaking world. Beautifully modern visuals and dynamic sounds decorate the programme as viewers are kept glued to the screen from start to the finish. Consisting of many different segments including Bible Heroes, hacks and tricks, DIY and even science experiments, Hashtag is entertaining and educating viewers […]
Father and son share their hearts with each other and with Iran
Sharing is caring, they say. In this case, it really is; Jalil Sepehr and his son Arvin are sharing their hearts with each other and Iran in a bid to benefit the future of church and culture in the region. Joseph Hovsepian, producer of new series Encounter of Generations, which is broadcast by SAT-7 PARS, is passionate about the power […]
Algerian believers encouraged to rest in the Lord
In a world of constant change, new Algerian programme Rest in the Lord is inviting new believers into a discussion about the unchanging ways of God. The table is set, the discussion has begun, and female viewers of Rest in the Lord are welcomed into the homeliest of atmospheres. Don’t let the creative décor and plate of treats fool you, […]
Allo Marianne Brings a Sense of Security for Suffering Children
Full of trust, free of worries, innocent and happy. This is a child at their best. But many children in the MENA are not in an environment that allows anything like that. It may be the actions of their parents, the struggles of their community, or the fear in their heart that robs them of an enjoyable childhood. Whatever […]
Domestic Abuse Cases Rise: SAT-7 Responds
Tragically, it was inevitable. As more and more governments issued “stay at home” orders during the coronavirus pandemic, cases of domestic violence against women rose across the MENA. Nations worldwide have reported a rise in cases, but in large parts of the MENA the numbers were telling a dark story long before coronavirus. In 2018, a study by the National […]
A Sense of Security for Suffering Children
Full of trust, free of worries, innocent and happy. This is a child at their best. But many children in the MENA are not in an environment that allows anything like that. It may be the actions of their parents, the struggles of their community, or the fear in their heart that robs them of an enjoyable childhood. Whatever the […]