The spirit behind the 2011 Arab protests that saw the ousting of old rulers was alive and kicking again this month. When the ailing president of Algeria announced he was going to run for a fifth term in office, nationwide strikes and protests erupted. Since a stroke in 2013, President Bouteflika, a veteran of Algeria’s war of independence, has made […]
The first ever visit by a Catholic Pope to the Arabian Peninsula gave an important boost to religious coexistence in the region this month. During a three-day trip to Abu Dhabi (UAE), Pope Francis met with the Crown Prince, took part in a two-day “Conference on Human Fraternity” attended by 600 religious leaders and opinion shapers, and led a mass […]
Many young children in Syria have known nothing but war – their entire lives have been marked by violence and loss. But the children SAT-7 KIDS met on a recent visit were anything but broken. Despite their sadness, many were also full of hope, joy, and faith in Jesus. “Don’t fear, because Jesus is with you,” says Jameel, one of […]
While calm is beginning to return to parts of the region, the challenges of rebuilding politically, socially and physically are deep. Meanwhile, key regional players like Saudi Arabia and Iran face new political and economic pressures that could restrain their influence. The year began with attempts by US defence staff and international allies to come to terms with President Trump’s […]
Anwar, Bashar, and Sarah live in a children’s home in Lebanon. Their stories, shared recently on SAT-7 KIDS, are both heart-breaking and inspirational – each one a triumph of light over darkness. Anwar was found sleeping in an empty, abandoned bus. At nine years old, he had been trafficked from war-torn Syria and exploited by his captors before managing to […]
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. […]
A SAT-7 children’s show visiting Syria found churches full of displaced people learning about Jesus for the first time. Almost a thousand children – including hundreds from non-Christian backgrounds – gathered in the Syrian cities of Tartus, Bloudan, and As-Suwayda to meet presenter Mina Awny and the SAT-7 production team of Family of Jesus. The popular children’s show mixes music, […]
The United Nations has urged Syria, Russia and Iran to avoid a “humanitarian catastrophe” in Syria’s Idlib province as Syrian forces and allies are poised for an offensive on the country’s last remaining rebel stronghold. The latest stage in the Syrian war is about to start with an imminent military operation against the rebel held city of Idlib. Over 60 […]
Trade wars and new political tensions this month added to the challenges already faced by a region still blighted by warfare in Yemen and Syria. The nosedive of the Turkish lira that began in April accelerated this month as the US announced 50 per cent and 20 per cent taxes respectively on Turkish steel and aluminium products. Since the start […]
As this year’s World Refugee Day arrives (20 June), the Middle East retains the unenviable record of being both source and host of the largest number of displaced people in the world. But amidst their hardships, large numbers of refugees who have been shown practical love by Christians are finding a new relationship with God. In Greater Amman, Jordan, SAT-7 […]
