There was a record attendance at last week’s annual conference of SAT-7, the Middle East Christian satellite TV broadcaster. Held for the first time in Turkey, from 26-28 March, SAT-7’s annual ‘Network’ conference attracted 250 people from 25 countries, an indication of the growing concern for the troubled Middle East region among many people around the world. Contributors from Iran, […]
RECORD NUMBERS HEAR HOW TV BRINGS HOPE TO MIDDLE EAST
Holy Fire – April 2014
It is Saturday afternoon. Crowds are waiting, eyes are anticipating, hearts are eager to receive the light or “the Holy Fire” as it has been traditionally called. We are in a place no other than the Holy Sepulchre Church in Jerusalem. You can barely find a room for one’s feet to step in. In fact, people seem to be on […]
Reliving the Passion – April 2014
“Ekhristos Anesti!” “Alithos Anesti!” These are words commonly heard in Egyptian Christian circles at this time: “Christ is risen!” we greet one another, “He is risen indeed!” we reply. Happy Easter! It’s a busy time for Christians in Egypt. Coptic Orthodox Christians, who make up about 90 per cent of the Christian population here, spend Passion Week, the last week […]
SAT-7 SPONSORS FIRST DIALOGUE WITHOUT WALLS FILM AWARDS
Independent judges award prizes to SAT-7 film-makers A new short film competition designed to promote dialogue across communities in post-Arab Spring countries has been co-sponsored by Christian broadcaster SAT-7. (Pic: Winning film directors, from front right, Tamer Arnest, Shokry Zikry and John Ikram) SAT-7 and national television stations aired the first awards ceremony live from the Nile Hall in downtown […]
26 NATIONS REPRESENTED AT FIRST SAT-7 NETWORK CONFERENCE IN TURKEY
SAT-7, the Christian satellite television broadcaster watched by over 15 million Arabic-, Farsi- and Turkish-speaking viewers in the Middle East and North Africa, will hold its annual “Network” conference in Turkey for the first time next week (26-28 March). During SAT-7’s international gathering of television producers, supporters and partner representatives, church leaders and SAT-7 staff from across the region will […]
Watch your footprint – short-term overseas visits
Article 2 in our series: The Ethics of Global Engagement Short-term opportunities to be part of Christian projects abroad have multiplied in recent years. If carefully considered, they can be hugely beneficial. If not, they can leave damaging footprints on the Church and its community in sensitive countries. Our Middle East writer explains. What lasting impression will our trip leave […]
Mums make history – March 2014
March 21st is Mother’s Day in Egypt. It’s a big day everywhere in Egypt, marked by fun family gatherings at mum or grandma’s house, gifts, flowers, and songs celebrating mothers on national television. But what is Mother’s Day really all about? Curious about March 21st and where it originated, I dug a little into the history of Mother’s Day in […]
Miracles and Faith on the Bombed Streets of Baghdad
A SAT-7 crew filming on the streets of Baghdad heard startling testimonies from people living with the constant threat of terror attacks – and discovered that SAT-7 has a major presence in many people’s lives. A small filming crew from SAT-7 Egypt went to great personal risk when they stepped off the plane in Baghdad a few months ago. Public […]
NI PEACEMAKER TO HIGHLIGHT IMPORTANCE OF MIDDLE EAST CHRISTIANS AT BELFAST EVENT
Canon David Porter, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Director for Reconciliation, will highlight the strategic ministry of Christians in peace-building in the Middle East at an evening event organised by SAT-7 at Belfast Bible College on Saturday 12 April (7.30 pm). David Porter has wide experience of peace building and chaired the Northern Ireland Civic Forum working group on peace building […]
Too great expectations – February 2014
Hello and greetings from Cairo, Egypt! Well, a lot has been going on in Egypt in the past three years. After 30 years of political stability, suddenly two major revolutions occurred ousting two presidents, and resulting in much political and social turmoil. I’d like to reflect on one of the major current happenings in Egypt, the upcoming presidential elections. But […]