Storytelling is at the heart of a special SAT-7 series filmed in Jordan for this Christmas. In Christmas Stories, leaders from various churches in Jordan and Iraq tell real-life stories that demonstrate how their churches are sharing the message and values of Christ among needy communities. One of the simplest and most striking comes from St George Greek Melkite Catholic […]
Amidst heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf and political standoffs and transitions from Turkey to North Africa, the cause of persecuted Christians was remembered in Iraq and in a UK Foreign Office report. Sudan remained in the headlines as the first mass demonstrations were held since the massacre at a sit-in protest last month. Protesters again took to the streets […]
It is now five years since so-called Islamic State (IS) seized the Iraqi city of Mosul and advanced within an hour of Baghdad. Hundreds of thousands of citizens fled for their lives. Some who escaped as children are now grown up, including Bella and Sareel, two extraordinary, faith-filled 18-year-old girls. SAT-7 met them in Amman, Jordan, where their families eventually […]
When worship programme Keep on Singing broadcast a special episode from Jordan, God used it in a very powerful way. “You have made history for Jordan,” one musician said – and SAT-7 ARABIC viewers agreed. Many shared how the programme showed a new vision of Jordanian Christian identity and encouraged them to return to the Lord. The special show featured […]
It has been a month of high pressure for two major players in the region – with Saudi Arabia facing diplomatic censure and Iran experiencing a new economic squeeze. The Christians of Egypt, meanwhile, were grieving after another terror attack that security forces were unable to prevent. The fallout from the brutal murder of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi continues. […]
While voters in Turkey conferred sweeping new powers on President Erdogan, populations that feel left behind in Iraq and Morocco are demanding more attention from their political rulers A new chapter has begun in Turkey after President Erdogan won an historic presidential election with more than 52 per cent of the votes. Thanks to an alliance with the Nationalist Movement […]
As World Cup fever lightens the mood in many Middle East nations, Turkey races towards historic elections and Yemen faces a new crisis, but Algerian Christians are giving thanks after several churches closed in a government crackdown were reopened. In Turkey, the nation is in the last week of campaigning before historic elections on 24 June. Citizens will vote both […]
Local partners Population: 6.5 million (plus up to 3 million refugees); 92% Sunni Muslim; 6% Christian; 2% Shiite Muslim/Druze Literacy: 98.5% men; 97.5% women Despite its small size and lack of natural resources, Jordan, officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, plays a significant role in the Middle East, lying between Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iraq and the Holy Lands. Jordan is […]
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 […]
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 […]