Under pressure in Syria and Iraq, so-called Islamic State increased attacks abroad while churches in Turkey were on high alert after nationwide terror warnings. News from the region Syria Syrian citizens in many areas enjoyed some respite from violence after a ceasefire between government and non-jihadist groups began (27 February) and was mostly observed. A significant development in the ongoing […]
The Briefing – April 2016
Live programmes resume after censorship action resolved
Popular live programmes from Egypt are returning to screen this month after a six-month hiatus following the seizure of SAT-7 equipment by the country’s censorship police in October. It was an extremely difficult period for SAT-7’s staff in Egypt as their production activities were severely limited and there was great uncertainty about the future of the studio. But now that […]
Anita writes
We had this email from Anita*, an Iranian now living in Malaysia. “My sister came to Christ five years ago. However her husband and family didn’t know about it. She started to watch the SAT-7 PARS (Farsi language) channel, but after a while her husband became suspicious. He deleted all Christian channels from satellite. “I was worried for my sister […]
Finding God with the refugee
When Lindsay Shaw visited a church in a Middle East city suburb he found local Christians and newly arrived refugees both encountering God in new ways As the taxi sped me to the church, I was thinking of two things. One was the information that large numbers of Syrian refugees had been welcomed and were attending this church. The other […]
Damascus Easter Celebration gives voice to children displaced by war
Syrian children – internally displaced by war – voiced their hopes and their faith in God in a special SAT-7 Easter programme from Damascus on Maunday Thursday (24 March). A commissioned TV crew followed some 300 children from different religious backgrounds as they participated in a fun-packed day of activities, learning and Easter praise at the Jesus Light of the […]
"Rare and wonderful" opportunity for Algerian choir
An Algerian choir travelled to Lebanon to take part in a special SAT-7 Easter production, described by one of the members as a “rare and wonderful” opportunity to glorify God. The choir, which belongs to the Full Gospel Church in Tizi Ouzou, gave an inspiring performance of ten worship songs for the one-off special called The Greatest Love. They performed […]
Armin from Iran
Armin* came to faith in Christ after watching programmes on SAT-7. He described the impact this is having on his life: “As soon as I get home, the first thing I do is turn on or change the TV channel to SAT-7– even if we have guests at home. I was a truck driver and travelled abroad, but I lost […]
Iranians celebrate new life in Christ on Persian new year
SAT-7 is marking the 13-day Persian New Year festival Norouz with special programmes that celebrate the new life that is available in Christ. Norouz – a compound word that means “new day” – begins on 20 March this year and marks the dawn of spring. SAT-7’s Farsi channel, SAT-7 PARS, will welcome in the Persian New Year with a […]
The moral conundrum of the Syrian refugee problem
As European Union leaders meet again with Turkey in their struggle for a humanitarian and comprehensive policy to stem the incoming flow of migrants, there are a number of moral issues that need to be better understood and addressed, says SAT-7 International Executive Director Terence Ascott. Europe seems to have settled on a simplistic division of those coming to its […]
SAT-7 urges prayer for Turkey after latest Ankara terrorist bombing
Christian satellite TV broadcaster SAT-7 has appealed for prayer for Turkey following Sunday’s terrorist bombing in Ankara and as the country faces a multiplication of crises. “Turkey is facing a time of uncertainty. There is a growing public sense of insecurity, hopelessness and darkness,” said Broadcast Manager Gökhan Talas (left) on Monday. The weekend explosion at a transport hub in […]