A turbulent year ended and a new one began with a sharp escalation of tensions between Saudi Arabia and its chief rival, Iran. This month’s briefing looks at the year ahead. The year ahead for the region The New Year began at full speed. The execution of Nimr al-Nimr, a leading Shiite cleric in Saudi Arabia, prompted international condemnation with […]
Briefing – January 2016
REVISITING MYRIAM – THE GIRL WHO FORGAVE ISIS
Iraqi Refugee Child’s Startling Message to World Leaders An 11-year-old Iraqi refugee whose video message of forgiveness for Islamic State (IS) went viral worldwide has given startling advice on how world leaders should respond to a Middle East in crisis: “Walk with love and mercy in your hearts.” A prayer answered – Myriam (left) and Sandra (right) in their classroom […]
Revisiting the Girl Who Forgave ISIS
Iraqi Refugee Child’s Startling Message to World Leaders An 11-year-old Iraqi refugee whose video message of forgiveness for Islamic State (IS) went viral worldwide has given startling advice on how world leaders should respond to a Middle East in crisis: “Walk with love and mercy in your hearts.” A year ago, Christian satellite television channel SAT-7 KIDS first filmed and […]
Gospel media campaign reveals Power to Change in Lebanon
In a month when suicide bombers killed 43 civilians on the streets of Beirut, residents of the Lebanese capital also had the opportunity to hear far better news in a ground-breaking Gospel media campaign. The Power to Change united volunteers from some 57 cooperating churches for the first time. It also combined city-wide advertising using roadside and overhead billboards with […]
Gospel Media Campaign Reveals Power To Change In Lebanon
In a month when suicide bombers killed 43 civilians on the streets of Beirut, residents of the Lebanese capital also had the opportunity to hear far better news in a ground-breaking Gospel media campaign. The Power to Change united volunteers from some 57 cooperating churches for the first time. It also combined city-wide advertising using roadside and overhead billboards with […]
How Egypt celebrates Christmas – December 2015
“Out of Egypt I called my Son.” (Hosea 11:1) These verses are treasured by every Egyptian Christian. The Gospel of Matthew (2:13-15) tells how Hosea’s prophecy of Israel’s deliverance was fulfilled in a new way in the life of Jesus. The God who had rescued His people miraculously in the Exodus now snatched His Son from Herod’s snare when an […]
The Briefing – December 2015
For the Middle East, 2015 has been another year of head-spinning complexities. In the conflicts and humanitarian crises, Christians have sometimes been the first to be attacked, but have often given the lead in responding to need. This month’s Briefing recaps the year that was. In January we look to see what 2016 might bring. News from the region In […]
'Passion Of The Christ' Musician Brings A Gulf Flavour To 'We Will Sing'
A Palestinian musician who played on the soundtrack of the film The Passion of the Christ joined SAT-7’s weekly We Will Sing hymns programme recently. Playing the oud and singing a number of songs he had composed, Naser Musa added a new flavour of Arabic worship to the popular worship show – the Arab Gulf tune. Among his songs was […]
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 […]
SAT-7 AND GOOD NEWS TEAM HOLD UNITED NIGHT OF PRAYER FOR MIDDLE EAST IN CAIRO
Egypt Church leaders join hundreds in prayer for victims of Middle East conflict at American University in Cairo Around 800 young people and families of many Middle East denominations joined to pray for this war-torn region and its refugees at the American University in Cairo on 31st of October. The concert, called “I Love My Country”, was the brainchild of […]