Is Valentine’s Day celebrated in the Middle East?
February 2017As western flower sellers, restaurants and chocolatiers prepare for a Valentine’s Day bonanza, how do couples in the Middle East mark the day – or do they? In Saudi Arabia, it is the religious police who swoop on chocolatiers and flower sellers, zealous to enforce a ban on the celebration as a western import that incites immorality. In Iran, the […]
Scarred city becomes refugee sanctuary
February 2017Once besieged by the Syrian army, a Lebanon town has become a place of welcome for Syrians fleeing terror thanks to God’s work in the lives of Lebanese Christians. SAT-7’s Dave Mann visited Zahlé, where he met with Syrian refugees and those ministering to them…. It should be easy to write a tourist brochure for Zahlé. The city lies high […]
Learning centre represents new dawn for displaced children
February 2017CHILD Centre opens in Lebanon The 1 November was a red letter day for many Syrian refugee children and families in the north Lebanon district of Zgharta. A SAT-7 partnership with local Lebanese charity, Biladi (“My Land”), saw the Cultural Heritage and Interactive Learning Development (CHILD) Centre open its doors for the first time. The centre will use educational programmes […]
Shattering the glass ceiling: celebrating successful women
January 2017Women across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) face many difficulties and restrictions that can leave them feeling worthless. A combination of male domination, traditional cultural pressures and a lack of empowerment results in suffering that ranges from social suffocation to severe abuse. But that is not the whole story for women in the MENA region. A forthcoming programme […]
Challenging attitudes on disability in Turkey
January 2017A programme on SAT-7’s Turkish channel is challenging cultural perspectives on disability and seeking to inspire change in communities. Obstacle Overcomers aims to counter negative stereotypes and discrimination by featuring the stories and achievements of individuals with genetic disorders, physical disabilities and mental impairments. The programme highlights the value of each person. “Viewers have to see the world through their […]
Viewers testify to marriages restored
January 2017A woman from Egypt who betrayed her husband shared how their marriage was restored after God spoke to her through a programme on SAT-7. Wafaa* said when her husband found out about what she had done, their relationship deteriorated almost to the point of divorce. But the situation was completely turned around when she sought God’s help. She said, “I […]
Helping refugees to help themselves
January 2017Displaced from their homes and often unable to access healthcare, refugees are especially vulnerable to an array of physical and mental health problems. SAT-7 is helping them to help themselves find healing through a series of short medical information segments. “You are your own doctor” is the message from the programme, which is presented by Dr Hany Keylada, an expert […]
The Briefing – January 2017: the year ahead
January 2017Another year began, with signs that 2017 too is set to be fraught with challenges for the people of the Middle East, Christian and Muslim alike. An attack at a famous night club in Istanbul by so-called Islamic State (IS) killed 39 people celebrating the New Year. The following day multiple bombs in Baghdad killed dozens more. So what lies […]