Bombing in Lebanon Threatens SAT-7 Operations
From Inside Lebanon, Christian Satellite Network SAT-7’s Staff Unable to Get to Office Due to Bombed Bridges
By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST MinistriesNICOSIA, CYPRUS (ANS) – Christian-satellite network SAT-7, which broadcasts Christian programming in Arabic throughout the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, and much of Central Asia, has reported that the bombing in Lebanon is threatening their operations.
Christian-satellite network SAT-7, which broadcasts Christian programming in Arabic throughout the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, and much of Central Asia, has reported that the bombing in Lebanon is threatening their operations.A report from the ministry which is headquartered in Nicosia, Cyprus, said that on the evening of Thursday, August 3, SAT-7 was able to broadcast live from its studio overlooking downtown Beirut. The program included a live call-in segment in which viewers from across the Middle East called in to say they are praying for the war in Lebanon and for the SAT-7 team as they work to broadcast Christ’s love from the midst of a war zone. But by Friday morning, August 4, the team was no longer able to continue their work.
Naji Daoud, the SAT-7 Lebanon director, said, “We are really shocked about what has happened. Bridges on several main roads into Beirut have been bombed, even in Christian areas, and many of our staff can no longer come to the studio. It is really quite frightening because now it seems that no area of the city is safe and innocent people are dying. When people do come to work, they don’t know if they’ll be able to go home.”
No SAT-7 personnel have been hurt during the crisis, but because several main roads are now unusable, the office leadership decided to close the office. “It’s not only the closed roads, but also the lack of fuel. There is no fuel to buy in the country and we don’t know when we will get more,” said Daoud. Several programs were to be recorded and had to be cancelled, including a women’s program and a youth program.
Despite the challenges, SAT-7 hopes to reopen the studio on Monday. Daoud says it will depend on whether the situation improves. Because of the lack of fuel and the difficulty of traveling, the team is putting an emergency plan into place in which a small crew may move into a donated flat located near the office and continue to produce programs. They intend to carry on broadcasting a live current affairs program each week, on Thursday evenings at 8:30 p.m. local time, if conditions allow.
“Really the most important thing we can pray for is a cease fire. We need this to end because it only seems to be getting worse,” said Daoud. SAT-7 also urges prayer for their team in Lebanon and for all the people suffering in the region.
SAT-7 USA Executive Director Debbie Brink said, “We urge all Christians in America to pray that God will protect our staff and studio in the Middle East and that He will use this terrible situation to cause more people in the region to seek Him.”
SAT-7 can be viewed via satellite in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, and much of Central Asia. Programming can also be watched worldwide at www.SAT7.org. Through locally-produced Arabic children’s programming, talk shows, teaching programs, music, serial dramas, and documentaries, SAT-7 provides large audiences with a unique opportunity to hear an accurate presentation of Christian truths in their own language through programming created by their own people. Launched in 1996, SAT-7 is an Arabic Christian television service by and for the people of the Middle East and North Africa, and has its U.S. headquarters in Easton, Md.
