The Briefing – September 2015
September 2015Four years after Syria erupted into civil war, the domino effects of Syria’s collapse took centre stage in Europe as the refugee crisis reached new levels. News from the region Syria’s civilian exodus rolled on as the country’s troubles continued to proliferate. Last week, Russian jets were spotted in the country, as both Iran and Russia carried on backing the […]
Standing Room Only At Remote Algerian Church
August 2015How early would you be willing to get out of bed to go to church on a Sunday morning? New believers in remote communities in Algeria have to get up at 5am to get transport up to the mountains for their weekly service – but that is not putting them off! SAT-7 producer Samia Jallali Kessai said: “The church service […]
Christ of the Abyss and drowning asylum seekers
August 2015In ignoring thousands of migrants who risk drowning at sea, are UK Christians also refusing Christ? A Middle Eastern Christian asks the question. There is a strange and powerful image that has often come to mind in the last 12 months. It is of a submerged bronze statue of Christ – His barnacle-encrusted hands upraised in blessing – in the […]
Pride in Egypt’s miracle canal
August 2015Egypt Rejoices! That’s the English translation of the highest trending hashtag this past month in Egypt. On 6 August 2015, the New Suez Canal was opened with grand ceremony by President Al-Sisi. Billboards heralded the opening as “Egypt’s miracle and gift to the world” as Egypt’s head of state oversaw the opening from the deck of the El-Mahrousa – the […]
The traditional values beneath a modern face that keep women at risk – August 2015
Well of course a man should beat his wife if she cheats on him!” It has been three years since my friend made that comment with a laugh, as I stared at her with a stunned expression, and yet I still remember it clearly. It was the first time since coming to Lebanon that I realised the depth of the […]
The Briefing – August 2015
The latest twist in the ever-turning Middle East has been Turkey’s sudden engagement in the war against Islamic State and an unexpected renewal of conflict with Kurdish separatists. Iran’s proposed renewal of relations with the West has also put the cat among the pigeons. News from the region The deal reached on Iran’s nuclear development programme continues to stir a […]
Needle And Thread Exposes Racism In Egypt
July 2015SAT-7 ARABIC women’s magazine Needle and Thread ventured into new grounds last month when it dedicated an episode to discuss the problems facing Sudanese refugees in Egypt, especially discrimination, exploitation and racism. “The topic of this episode has been tugging at my heart for years—every time I see a Sudanese woman or child in Egypt. I have been imagining and […]
SAT-7 KIDS Team Inspired By Orphans In South Sudan
July 2015Team inspired by youngsters’ faith and joy Meeting people who have suffered gravely but who continue to praise God generously is always humbling – and especially so when they are children. In war-ravaged and poverty-stricken South Sudan, a crew from SAT-7 KIDS was surprised to find joy and thankfulness among orphans who have lost their families to conflict. A team […]