Four 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 […]
How 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 […]
In 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 […]
It’s a truism that Middle East societies are male-led and patriarchal. But how do you enable those men to lead well – to lead as people who will serve their families wisely and thoughtfully as well as seek to succeed in their own right?
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 […]
SAT-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 […]
Team 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 […]
Only the intervention of government figures, faith and human rights organisations made it possible for five Egyptian Christian families to return to their homes after mob violence drove them from their village. SAT-7 Egypt journalist Mary Joseph describes how religious extremism and Egypt’s informal legal process of “reconciliation sessions” can result in Christians being expelled from their communities. Ayman, an […]
In the fall-out of war, the need for food, shelter and other basic needs is obvious to all. But refugees’ “spirits also need care”. Dr Kathryn Kraft describes how Lebanese churches are doing this and how we can learn from them. A few weeks ago, I was sharing with a friend at my church in London about my research with […]