While a partial ceasefire in Syria has been the main story in the region, moves to recognise the extremist targeting of Christians and other religious minorities as genocide could lead to greater protection and easier asylum for those fleeing jihadists. News from the region A partial ceasefire in Syria, brokered by Russia and the US, finally came into force at […]
The Briefing – March 2016
Springtime by the beach, ski time in the mountains – March 2016
Contrary to popular belief, the Middle East is far more than sandy desert. Countries all across the Levant and North Africa have beautiful mountains and even snowy winters. Lebanon is one of the best Arab countries to visit during winter because of its unusual climate. The winters come with lots of rain and occasional storms that blanket Lebanon’s mountains – […]
SAT-7 helps women claim their rights
On 8 March the world will commemorate International Women’s Day – a global celebration of women’s achievements throughout history and, perhaps more importantly, a time to call for further change and progress. UN Women (the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women) is focusing its efforts on gender equality for 2016, urging governments to follow through […]
Sussan from Iran
From wailing to dancing: how SAT-7 viewer’s grief was turned to joy A SAT-7 viewer in Iran has described how her mourning was turned to joy when late-night channel-hopping following the death of her mother. Sussan* recently contacted SAT-7’s Farsi-language channel, SAT-7 PARS, to share her testimony. She said that the death of her mother four months before had left […]
Religious freedom amendment welcomed in Algeria
Freedom to practise one’s religion has been granted in a package of constitutional reforms in Algeria. The change could bring significant benefits to Christians in a country where Evangelical churches are seeing an explosion in numbers among Kabyle-speaking Berber people. Hundreds can be seen each week engaged in worship and listening to challenging biblical preaching on SAT-7’s My Church in […]
The search for a breakthrough in Syria
A long-awaited ceasefire between Syrian government forces and many rebel groups began on Saturday (27 February). Despite reported breaches on both sides, it appears largely to have held in the first 48 hours. But the peace is fragile, reports indicate that some rebel areas believe it is a trick before the regime resumes violence, and jihadist groups Islamic State and […]
Charges against SAT-7 Egypt Director dropped!
A huge thank you to everyone who has been praying for SAT-7’s Egypt studio following the action by the country’s censorship police in October. Following the return of all the confiscated equipment on 28 January, the charges against director Farid Samir have now been officially dropped and the case closed. The staff in Egypt are of course extremely relieved, and […]
55 Years After Closure Turkish Protestant Church Reopens 50 Kilometers From IS Territory
Christians of all denominations have celebrated the reopening of a Protestant church only 50 kilometres from where churches have been bombed by so-called Islamic State (IS). Located just 30 kilometres from the Syrian border, the Protestant Church in Mardin, south-eastern Turkey, rang to the praises of a packed congregation some 55 years after persecution and migration forced its closure. Local […]
Serkan from Istanbul
‘Face to Face’ is a series on SAT-7 TURK that aims to give a biblical analysis of commonly held beliefs and superstitions. Following the programme, Serkan in Istanbul contacted SAT-7 TURK to say: I watched your programme ‘Face to Face’ with great interest. I am not a believer but I see myself as very close to Christianity. In the programme, […]
SAT-7 – A vital Christian presence in an explosive region
Life in Lebanon is “like living near a volcano”, says Revd Dr Habib Badr, but SAT-7 gives him hope for a region in turmoil. As Senior Pastor of the oldest Arabic-speaking Evangelical Church in the Middle East, Revd Dr Habib Badr knows well the volatility of the region and the fragility of Lebanon, his homeland. The National Evangelical Church of […]