IRAQ’S CHURCHES CRY OUT
November 2019While Iraqi demonstrators have been calling out to be heard by their rulers in some of the largest protests since the fall of Saddam, SAT-7 viewers heard that churches in Iraq are crying out to God for their nation. Revd Joseph Francis, the President of the Christian Alliance Churches in Iraq, told SAT-7 worship and prayer show Keep on Singing, […]
Championing children’s rights in the Middle East
November 2019In 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 […]
Building Peace at Ground Level
November 2019Bold 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 […]
A VOICE FOR PRAYER, PEACE, AND PROGRESS IN LEBANON
November 2019As weeks of anti-government protests brought their country to a standstill, Lebanon’s church leaders joined the call for basic rights that has united Lebanese from across the country’s religious communities. Amid the crisis, SAT-7 ARABIC encouraged Lebanese viewers to pray and to be role models in working for justice and peace. “We understand your movement and hear your cry,” the […]
Algeria – “You can seal our churches but not our hearts”
October 2019“You can seal our churches but you can’t seal our hearts” is the cry from Algeria as churches are being sealed shut despite Article 42 of the Algerian Constitution guaranteeing its citizens freedom to worship and the freedom to meet for a service. The 15 October closure of the largest of these – the 1,200-member Full Gospel Church of Tizi […]
LEBANON – A CRY FOR THE NATION
October 2019As thousands of Lebanese from across the spectrum of religious groups and ethnic communities continue protests across Lebanon, SAT-7 is tackling the issue through a series of live episodes beginning tonight on SAT-7 ARABIC. The channel has invited various leaders from the Lebanese Christian community to share their opinions and debate on a way forward. “We are expecting a lot […]
The Middle East Briefing – October 2019
October 2019One conflict has been averted and another ignited. The pace of events in the Middle East over the last 30 days has been rapid. Last month, we saw drone and missile attacks on refineries in Saudi Arabia. Although Yemeni Houthi rebels claimed responsibility, many saw the hand of Iran behind them. Observers worried that this would trigger the long-feared conflict […]