The Briefing – February 2018
February 2018New complications in the region’s conflicts are threatening to divide powerful allies. At the end of last year, there was an emerging view that the Syrian war had reached its peak and was starting to de-escalate. The last few weeks, however, have pointed in the opposite direction, with some of the fiercest aerial bombing campaigns by forces loyal to Assad […]
Breaking the illusion of love
February 2018On one day of the year, thousands of flowers and gifts exchange hands, and dimly lit restaurants are filled with couples. Valentine’s Day is when many couples celebrate their love. But for many women, relationships that are labelled as ‘loving’ are actually unhealthy or, at worst, abusive. SAT-7 ARABIC women’s programme Needle and New Thread is addressing this controversial issue. […]
O Death, where is your sting?
By Archbishop Angaelos Archbishop Angaelos is the first Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in London, and a Patron of SAT-7 UK. He has been awarded an OBE for his services to religious freedom. As we journey through Lent this year in preparation for the glorious Feast of the Resurrection, we do so at a time when many are in […]
Finding truth on the big screen
February 2018As an alternative to the scandal-hit Hollywood film industry, SAT-7 recently began screening a series that introduces viewers to some of the best Arab-language films that offer valuable and truthful insights into human experience. Cinema Style is presented by Fr Botros Daniel, the head of the Egyptian Catholic Centre Cinema Festival (ECCCF). This annual showcase of films began in 1952, […]
Iran youth show aims to break negative view of religion
February 2018Religious faith has a bad image among Iran’s young adults and it’s easy to see why. Tight restrictions and harsh penalties imposed by its clerical leaders and enforced by religious police give many a very negative impression of belief – and not just their own. According to Moe Pooladfar – producer of a new SAT-7 youth show for the Persian […]
Tackling violence in schools
February 2018Hard-hitting issues Ethics, good manners, respect to one another, co-existence…We need those values in the Middle East.” This was the comment from guest Paul Sayah, Archeparch of the Maronite Church and Curial Bishop of the Maronite Catholic Patriarchate of Antioch, when he shared his hope for SAT-7’s newest channel, SAT-7 ACADEMY, upon its launch in September last year. SAT-7 ACADEMY […]
Reforming attitudes to disability
January 2018“Thank you, Lord, for changing the bitterness in my life to singing.” 28-year-old Waheed Ata broke into this spontaneous and heartfelt prayer as he shared his life story with viewers of SAT-7 ARABIC’s programme, Reforming. Left blind for life after contracting meningitis as a baby, Waheed – like so many others with a disability in the Middle East and North […]
The Briefing – January 2018
January 2018While 2017 saw military power finally overwhelm the territorial ambitions of so-called Islamic State, the lasting effects of conflict, continuing struggles between regional powers, and increasingly forceful policies being pursued by some mean that this is set to be another challenging year for the region. Iran made headlines at the turn of the year in a way that no-one had […]