Arab Spring: three years later

Middle East (MNN) — A Christian satellite television ministry to the Middle East and North Africa is remembering the Arab Spring.

On December 17, 2010 in Tunisia, a fruit vendor frustrated with his local government set himself on fire in protest. It grabbed the attention of his equally-frustrated peers, and an uprising soon spread from Tunisia to Egypt. At the end of January 2011, it became clear that a revolution had begun.

By January 2012, Egypt’s leadership was still in flux and its citizens unhappy following President Mubarak’s ouster. Revolutionary fighters had killed Libya’s dictator, Yemen’s president handed over his executive powers, and Syria’s civil war was well underway.

In a recent blog, SAT-7 CEO Terry Ascott says, “2011 began with high hopes and expectations of change.” But three years down the road, the Middle East is rife with disappointment and frustration.

In his blog, Ascott analyzes the current situation in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Iraq, and more. But he also reports on the story many mainstream media outlets miss: how the Middle East unrest is affecting believers.

“As we have seen in countries like Algeria and Iran, where there have been severe problems for the Church, there is often amazing church growth in the wake of such persecution,” writes Ascott.

With an international headquarters in Cyprus and six channels, SAT-7 broadcasts in Arabic, Farsi, and Turkish. Throughout the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, SAT-7 provides encouraging programming for believers, shares the Gospel with those who don’t know Christ, and gives local churches a broader platform.

Ascott notes, “We have seen our viewership grow in countries like Saudi and Iraq, and we know that there is an increase in people everywhere wanting to know about the Christian faith.”

Pray for SAT-7’s ministry as it continues to shine the light of Christ in difficult places.

“The Christians of the Middle East and North Africa, more than ever, need our ongoing support and prayers!” notes Ascott as he wraps up his blog.

Learn how you can come alongside SAT-7 here.