From robber to TV pastor of Tajik church
August 2018Poverty after his father’s murder drove Rustam to robbery before a Damascus-style conversion brought him to Christ. Now a pastor who has served in both Tajikistan and Afghanistan, he recently recorded SAT-7’s first discipleship series for Tajik viewers. Growing up with 10 siblings in one of the poorest countries of the former Soviet Union meant that life for Rustam Begaliev […]
The Briefing – August 2018
Trade wars and new political tensions this month added to the challenges already faced by a region still blighted by warfare in Yemen and Syria. The nosedive of the Turkish lira that began in April accelerated this month as the US announced 50 per cent and 20 per cent taxes respectively on Turkish steel and aluminium products. Since the start […]
Bridging the generation gap
August 2018“I see no hope for the future of our people if they are dependent on the frivolous youth of today.” The grumpy words of Hesiod, a Greek poet of the 8th century BC, show that the generation gap is nothing new and, most likely, belongs to all cultures. But in the Arab cultures of the Middle East and North Africa, where […]
Talking youth issues over coffee
July 2018Socialising over hot drinks has been an integral part of Middle Eastern culture for centuries, long before cafés first gained popularity in the Western world. SAT-7 is now showing two new youth programmes that follow this tradition. SAT-7 TÜRK’S FIRST LIVE YOUTH SHOW “Young people need practical advice,” says Uygar Duzgüner, producer of the new SAT-7 TÜRK show Turning Point. […]
Yasimin’s story: From fear to freedom
For most of her life, Iranian viewer Yasimin* lived in fear of God and death. Her life changed forever after witnessing a miraculous transformation in her niece’s life. Now, through SAT-7 PARS, Yasimin and her family are growing in their faith daily. “No amount of fasting or prayer dispelled my fear of God and death.” Yasimin remembers. “When I prayed […]
SAT-7 enters time of transition
July 2018SAT-7 is entering a new season in the coming months, with a transition in leadership and two key departures from its international office. The first of these changes is that Rita Elmounayer, SAT-7 Deputy CEO and Chief Channels Officer, has been appointed as CEO Designate by the SAT-7 International Council, replacing Dr Terence Ascott as CEO. The transition of responsibility is likely […]
The Briefing – July 2018
July 2018While voters in Turkey conferred sweeping new powers on President Erdogan, populations that feel left behind in Iraq and Morocco are demanding more attention from their political rulers A new chapter has begun in Turkey after President Erdogan won an historic presidential election with more than 52 per cent of the votes. Thanks to an alliance with the Nationalist Movement […]
Economic boom expands Christian witness in Gulf states
July 2018“I have no doubt in my mind that in the Arabian peninsula there’s easily ten million Christians,” says Venerable Bill Schwartz, OBE, Anglican Archdeacon in the Gulf and Chaplain of Qatar. Speaking at SAT-7’s NETWORK conference in April 2018, Schwartz spelt out some of the astonishing results of the region’s meteoric economic development, driven by oil wealth. Most notable is how […]