In popular imagination, Christmas often seems distinctly “Western”: snow and spruce, cards and carols, fireside fruitcake. Traditions and imagery that are soundly rooted in Victorian Europe. But for Persians, the symbolism of an ancient eastern festival that celebrates light overcoming darkness resonates powerfully with the message of Christmas. Yalda’s Eve (21 December), or Shab-e-Yalda, which marks the winter solstice, […]
By Aysha, a writer and film-maker from the Middle East, who was forced to leave her home country after she came to faith in Christ. She now lives in the UK, where she works with SAT-7 and other Christian networks on various communications projects. Jesus’ ministry was marked by persecution, culminating darkly in His crucifixion. On the morning of the […]
“In the last two years, so many things have changed. Life in Afghanistan is very difficult now – there is no education, no work, and all our suffering is because of those two things. There is a lot of anxiety. If [women] go out they are inappropriately questioned.” August 15 2023 marks two years since the Taliban’s rapid takeover of […]
Where there is prayer, there is hope for things to change. This is why it’s so encouraging that SAT-7 staff are able to pray regularly with and for viewers. “How beautiful and heart-warming is prayer – it renews the heart and connects us with our Heavenly Father,” Dalir from Afghanistan shares. “I pray and ask the Father to take hold […]
UK Christians have joined believers from around the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in a Christmas carol music video to highlight how believers in the region are silenced and unable to celebrate Jesus’ birth. Musicians and singers from Iran, Egypt, Lebanon, Tunisia, Türkiye, Cyprus and the UK collaborated in recording a multi-language version of “Silent Night” for an Advent […]
One year on from the capture of Afghanistan by the Taliban, SAT-7 viewers there are describing the disastrous impacts of tyranny, unemployment, and food shortages. A questionnaire sent by our viewer support team to those with whom we are in regular communication asked what life is now like for them on the ground. “An atmosphere of fear and intimidation rules […]
17 August 2022 A survey of SAT-7 viewers in Afghanistan has shown that Christians continue to live in fear one year after the Taliban seized power in the country. “Fear and dread have taken all of Afghanistan and have especially affected religious and ethnic minorities,” explains Daanesh*, one of many Afghan viewers who correspond with the SAT-7 Christian TV and […]
Since August 2021, Elham,* a man living in Afghanistan, has been in contact with the SAT-7 PARS Viewer Support team, who have walked virtually with him through the turmoil of Taliban control in Afghanistan and Elham’s ongoing search for truth and freedom. “The people of Afghanistan are living through a disastrous nightmare,” wrote Elham to the SAT-7 PARS Viewer Support […]
Testimonies recently received by SAT-7’s Turkish-language channel show how deeply its message of God’s love is impacting people’s lives. “I take joy in watching your channel. Because I am watching, my entire household has turned against me. But no matter what happens, I will continue to watch,” one viewer says. The viewer shares that he was “biased” against Christians, like […]
Fear and hopelessness are casting a shadow over the lives of people living in Afghanistan. Many Christians – afraid of discovery by the country’s new rulers – have gone into hiding and avoid even the secret meetings with other believers that some attended previously. Responding to this great need, SAT-7 has filmed a new discipleship series designed to help seekers […]