Syrian widows share struggles and faith
June 2016“In the midst of my grief You gave me joy” We have a principle not to bow down and weaken in front of difficult life challenges but to walk in God’s path, the path of peace and light.” Courageous widows in war-ravaged Aleppo have told of the daily struggle to raise their children alone, and shared how they are finding […]
The Briefing – June 2016
June 2016Even as the tide began to turn against so-called Islamic State, rival ambitions and visions made for fraught international relations in the region. News from the region In Syria last month so-called Islamic State (IS) came under intense pressure from all directions – from the US-led coalition, Kurdish forces, Syrian government troops and allies, the Iraqi army and shelling from […]
SAT-7 anniversary event honours mothers of martyred Christians
June 2016Beacon of Light celebration recognises bereaved women as “living beacons” Two Egyptian mothers whose adult and teenage children’s lives were stolen by terrorists were special guests at Beacon of Light – a gala event to mark 20 years of SAT-7, the largest television network in the Middle East that is dedicated to giving a voice to the region’s Christians. In […]
Breaking free of the straitjacket
June 2016A system designed partly to protect the region’s Christians has become a straitjacket inviting persecution and preventing greater equality and participation in Middle East societies. Since the time of the Ottoman Empire (1300-1922), the relationship of Christians in the Middle East with the politics and society of their countries has followed a similar trajectory. The Ottoman “millet system” was a […]
Middle East’s largest Christian TV network celebrates 20 years on air
May 201631 May 2016 From broadcasting two hours to 840 hours each and every week; from one channel to five; from one to three languages; all achieved in just 20 years. The debut Arabic programme on SAT-7’s first channel aired on 31 May 1996 to millions of people across the Middle East and North Africa. SAT-7 celebrated this milestone yesterday with […]
“Please, please, please help and guide me”
Iranian viewer cries out for support Christians are a very small minority in the Middle East and North Africa, and in many of the countries where SAT-7 broadcasts, they face severe persecution. Every day, isolated believers cry out to SAT-7 for support, prayer and fellowship. Arvin* from Iran gave his heart to Christ 18 months ago. He shared with us […]
The challenge of answering the cry — every day
May 2016“It’s a daily work, an unfinished work” SAT-7’s viewer support teams have the very important job of answering calls, emails and social media messages from our audience. “It’s a daily work, an unfinished work,” says Enaam Haddad, SAT-7’s audience relations manager in Lebanon. “It’s a 24 hours a day, seven days a week work. People will always have demands and […]
Fleeing terrorists, finding Jesus – The Children’s cry for peace
May 2016From fear of Daesh to faith in Christ: Iraqi boy shares testimony I used to be scared of Daesh [Islamic State] but Jesus filled my heart and filled it with joy and peace.” The Cry for Peace, the children’s cry Nouh, a young boy from Iraq, shared on a SAT-7 children’s show how he came to faith in Christ after […]