The effects of unrelenting warfare on civilian populations continue to be felt from Syria to the Yemen. Only in Iraq does the fighting raise brighter hopes as so-called Islamic State are pushed out. Syria’s relentless war continues. A French draft resolution to the UN Security Council called for an immediate ceasefire in Aleppo and a no-fly zone to end the […]
The Briefing – October 2016
Malatya murderers convicted but Turkish Christians “still don’t feel safe”
SAT-7 TÜRK Broadcasting Manager Gökhan Talas spoke this week following the long-awaited conviction of five men for the 2007 murders of three staff of a Turkish Christian publishing house where Talas and his wife also worked. On 28 September the criminal court in Malatya sentenced five Turkish men to life imprisonment for the premeditated murders of Turkish Christians Necati Aydin […]
Kidnapped Iraqi man tells of God’s faithfulness
An Iraqi man has shared how being kidnapped and held at gunpoint transformed his relationship with God. Emad from Baghdad told SAT-7’s We Grew Together about the terrifying ordeal in which he was blindfolded, tied up and seized along with six other men, including two of his wife’s brothers. Emad was raised in a Christian family but said he did […]
SAT-7 shares stories from Iran’s persecuted but growing Church
We know that new Christians in Iran face many problems, but we also know that God is faithful… Although we cannot estimate the number of active churches or house churches, God is moving. It amazes me, and gives me both fear and joy, to see how much God is working among our people. Despite our problems, His light is visible […]
Powerful witness by attacked Egyptian church
A church in Egypt that was targeted in one of the worst-ever attacks against the country’s Christian minority has testified to God’s grace and blessing in the years since the bombing. The infamous attack on Al-Qeddesine Church in Alexandria struck worshippers as they were leaving midnight mass on New Year’s Eve in 2011; 24 people were killed, scores injured […]
Diversity and openness are keys to SAT-7’s success, says founder Terence Ascott
FOUNDER TERENCE ASCOTT IN 20th ANNIVERSARY BROADCAST INTERVIEW In an interview specially screened to mark Christian TV broadcaster SAT-7’s 20th anniversary year, founder and CEO Dr Terence Ascott encouraged viewers to test what they hear and to be open to fresh perspectives. Appearing on Forbidden, a talk show on SAT-7 ARABIC that tackles controversial and taboo topics, Dr Ascott talked […]
Samir’s story
Desperate to know the truth Samir, a young man from Afghanistan, was desperate to know the truth. Reading the holy books of other religions did not fully satisfy, but when he began reading an old English language Bible he found something remarkable happened – a profound peace came over him. Although Samir couldn’t understand what he was reading, he said, “I […]
The Briefing – September 2016
A month of new political and military collaborations has produced a temporary ceasefire and some progress in Syria. Representatives of Middle East churches, meanwhile, gathered to consider their future in the region and heard calls for a Christian homeland in Iraq. The last few weeks have seen remarkable developments in Syria. It began with a rapprochement between Turkey and Russia […]
In Morocco on a road less travelled
Rachid describes the long and surprising course of his journey to faith. I am Pastor Rachid from Morocco. I lead a Church here and serve Christ in several parts of the country through discipleship training, education, church planting and media. My journey to faith in Jesus Christ and service in Morocco has involved many twists and turns, but my life […]
Reason to believe
There is a new phenomenon in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). In a part of the world where religion traditionally shapes every area of life, there is a growth in religious doubt and questioning. Increasing numbers now call themselves atheists. Accurate figures are impossible to obtain in a region where non-belief could land you in jail. But one […]