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Feature articles: Archive of previous editions

Wazala provides regular stories, in-depth articles, news and commentary from the Middle East. These feature articles will inspire and inform your prayers for the Middle East and North Africa. As things may have changed since publication please be aware that these articles were accurate at the publication date of the article.
Gathering in Tahrir Square in 2011

Christian thoughts on liberty

HG Bishop Angaelos on why a Christian view of social justice offers a path to the liberties many in the Middle East long for.
18 Jun 2013
Moqattam, home to Cairo's garbage collectors

Meet the Zabaleen

The transformation of the garbage collectors community near Cairo - an inspiring example of the power of the Gospel for social change.
14 Jun 2013
Protesters gather in Istanbul

Turkey: Should Christians protest?

Soner Tufan considers Turkey's upsurge of protest and asks: Should Turkish Christians be involved?
6 Jun 2013
Closure notice on the doors of the Central AOG church in Tehran

Iran: Oldest Protestant church closed by Intelligence Ministry

In a worrying move, Iran's intelligence ministry has closed the country's oldest Protestant Church and arrested its pastor.
6 Jun 2013
Revd Dr Mehrdad Fatehi

Nurturing the roots of the Iranian church

A new project is helping to equip the leaders of Iran’s underground church.
5 Jun 2013
Secrets of Life presenters Shoaib and Mariam

Hope and healing for Afghans

'For 800 years Christianity was destroyed in Afghanistan.' Today a new church is emerging.
22 May 2013
Image by Connor Walsh/Flickr Commons

A cry to the Western Church

An isolated Middle East Christian and secret believer appeals to the Western Church.
20 May 2013
Nour Botros presenting Just For You Syria

Hope for Syria?

Syrian Christian Nour Botros shares his prayer for a renewed Church to emerge from Syria's sufferings.
16 May 2013
Easter worship at the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Stevenage, England

Who are the Copts?

An introduction to the life and beliefs of the Coptic Orthodox Church, the largest Christian community in the Middle East.
25 Apr 2013
Copts and others call for change, Cairo, 2011 (Flickr; Aschevogel)

Christian witness in a new Middle East

How do we rethink Christian witness in the Middle East in the light of the changes reshaping the region?
22 Apr 2013
Distributing aid at one of the camps for Syrian refugees in Bekaa

Sharing love with Syrian refugees

Rex Rogers visits Syrian refugees in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley with a SAT-7 team and humanitarian partner.
22 Apr 2013
A year ago: calm as Copts queued to mourn Pope Shenouda

Egypt: Where is the fresh start?

After an attack on Cairo's Coptic Cathedral, the UK's Coptic Orthodox Bishop asks what has happened to Egypt's fresh start?
9 Apr 2013
Spot the snail sellers: no there aren't any (MKSFCA, Flickr)

Selling snails in a Muslim neighbourhood

Aret Mahlas sees a parallel between a familiar Turkish proverb and attitudes to Christianity in his country.
28 Mar 2013
2005: demonstration against Syrian occupation

Lebanon: seeking peace in diversity

Mixed faith Lebanon could model tolerance for the region but the dream has often proved elusive.
1 Mar 2013
Norouz - a season to smile

Iran: The happiest month

Norouz, the Iranian New Year that predates Islam but is the country’s most celebrated festival.
1 Mar 2013
Tranquil Euphrates passing Al Thawra (Copepodo Flickr)

Syria: Families flee under cover of night

The Bishop of Aleppo reports on a new unfolding tragedy and voices his concern over the exodus of Syrian Christians.
25 Feb 2013
Jerusalem Light Rail Arab man and Jewish boy (Avital Pinnick)

Language builds bridges in Jerusalem

A Jewish activist explains how learning Arabic has deepened two friends' understanding of their Palestinian neighbours.
7 Feb 2013
Mt Ararat, pic by Henri Nissen, Wiki Commons

On biblical location in Turkey

We introduce you to the Turkish sites of the Bible and the Christians there who live by its teaching today.
6 Feb 2013
Green protest 2009 (Hamed Saber, Wiki Commons)

The cry of Iranian youth

A repressive regime, soaring unemployment and drug addiction affects Iran's young people but they are spiritually hungry.
6 Feb 2013
Saadallah Square, Oct 2012 (Zyzzzzzy, Flickr Commons)

Resisting fear in Aleppo

A Christian surgeon reports on how residents are supporting one another in a city which has become a battlefield.
22 Jan 2013
Christian leaders unite to pray for Egypt, Dec 2012

Arab Spring gives way to a Christian winter

Widespread attacks on Christian communities from Iraq to Egypt are undermining the region's struggle for broader freedoms.
9 Jan 2013
A sea of worshippers pray for Egypt (c) SAT-7

Egyptians unite in prayer for crisis

Egyptian Christians unite in prayer for Egypt, Thursday 13 December, as referendum looms
13 Dec 2012
Image by Gulfman1 (Flickr Creative Commons)

Does persecution truly bring Church growth?

When persecution comes the Church grows. Or does it? Our writer urges us to consider the Christians who suffer and churches which die.
6 Dec 2012
North African man (stock photo)

Algeria update: broadcasts build growing Church

How Algerian made TV is discipling the growing church.
20 Nov 2012
A glimpse of ancient Sanaa, Yemen's capital

Return to Aden

Christchurch, Aden and its Ras Morbat clinic are a beacon of hope and care in troubled Yemen.
2 Nov 2012
Clouds over Lebanon by Rabiem22 & Flickr

Lebanon: A call for courageous peacemakers

SAT-7 Lebanon head urges Christians to reject fear and be agents of peace following assassination of Lebanese security chief.
25 Oct 2012
Desert refuge: Mar Saba monastery (c) Lizzie Wells Flickr Creative Commons

Into the desert silence

Revd James Harris stays with the monks in an ancient cliff-face monastery in the Judean wilderness.
18 Oct 2012
Young Iranian woman (stock image)

Life as a new Christian in the Middle East

Isolation, opposition and alienation stop many from continuing in their faith. How can we help them become lifelong disciples?
4 Oct 2012
Filming video on urfi marriage

New videos tackle hot topics

Ten new SAT-7 videos confront social issues ranging from family feuds through kidnap and rape and child labour.
17 Sep 2012
London event poster

Wazala London event: Christianity at a Crossroads in the Middle East

Join Wazala and SAT-7 for an evening of insight into what the future might hold for Christians in the Middle East and how we can support them.
10 Sep 2012
Algerian church interior

Seizing the Day in Algeria

A leader of the Algerian Protestant Church tells how the Church has "lost its fear" and is experiencing astonishing growth.
29 Aug 2012
SAT-7 TURK TV chef Burak Srmaçekici preps food

MENA manna from heaven

SAT-7 staff share their favourite MENA dishes, how to serve them, where to sample them - and a TV chef!
15 Aug 2012
South Lebanon home (c) Rabiem22 Creative Commons

Ties to Home

Asking a Middle Easterner “Where are you from?” dips into a deep well of associations that spans generations.
23 Jul 2012
Class of 2012 ABTS graduates

Eastern Promise

Wazala meets 13 newly trained Christian leaders returning better equipped for ministry in countries ranging from Sudan to Yemen.
16 Jul 2012
Salt of the Earth on eve before presidential election

Pass the Salt

How a current affairs programme became a platform for reconciliation and energising Christians as active citizens.
10 Jul 2012
Tunisia - country which sparked a movement: protest

The Arab Spring: Where is it going?

Five journeys the Arab world might take it in its quest for change. What can Christians do to influence it for the best?
26 Jun 2012
2011: Egyptians celebrate the departure of Pres. Mobarak

Prayers for Egypt's new president

Egypt's first freely elected president promises equality for all and the head of the UK's Coptic Christians offers his prayer.
25 Jun 2012
Who will lead them? Coptic Christians at the funeral of Pope Shenouda in March 2012

Who will lead the Copts?

Egypt's hopes for the next Coptic Pope and the decisive part played by a blindfolded child.
14 Jun 2012
Women worshippers at an Episcopal Church

Egypt: breaking down the walls

Egypt will only achieve a united society when Christians break out of their isolation, writes Amira, a young professional and activist.
7 Jun 2012
Egypt has its first free presidential elections

Egypt: let God guide your vote

Church leaders and political experts advise Christians on voting in Egypt's first free presidential elections.
25 May 2012
2011 uprising: protests in Egypt

"The Arab Spring": where did it come from?

What lay behind the uprisings that took the world by surprise?
24 May 2012
Hama, Syria

Syria: pray against fear

Syrian pastor urges prayer for Christians to be freed from fear as a million Syrian refugees attempt to flee conflict.
24 May 2012
Melih Ekener SAT-7 TURK's new Executive Director

Turkish TV star at helm of SAT-7 TURK

Actor-presenter Melih Ekener, now head of SAT-7 TURK, shares his hopes for the station.
8 May 2012
Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali will be keynote speaker

Wazala and Bishop Nazir-Ali in Guildford

Join us to explore: What is the future for the Church in the MENA region?
8 May 2012
Taking viewer calls in the SAT-7 PARS studio

Afghans find true refuge

Growing numbers of Afghans find hope through TV broadcasts in their language.
30 Apr 2012
Nick Shennow

A World of Extremes and Laughter

Nick Shenow from Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East (FRRME) reflects on recent visit to Iraq.
16 Apr 2012
Pope Shenouda III

Love and Hope amidst Loss and Uncertainty

The death of Coptic Church leader, Pope Shenouda III was not unexpected but still a shock for many Egyptians.
25 Mar 2012
Church in Lebanon

Syria, military intervention and Christians in danger

A Lebanese Christian talks to BMS about Syria, the position of Christians in the Middle East and military intervention
21 Feb 2012
Canon Andrew White

Iraq: New Fatwa helps Christians

Senior Sunni clerics issue an historic Fatwa against all sectarian violence in Iraq
6 Feb 2012
Rev Emad Mikhail

Trusting God Through the Unthinkable

The Rev Emad Mikhail, reflects on how events of last year have impacted everyday life
27 Jan 2012
Tahrir Square Anniversary Celebrations Jan 2012

Egypt: Joy & Pain

Egyptian Christians mark the one year anniversary of the uprisings with joy and pain, but always praising God
27 Jan 2012
A heartfelt plea...

Standing Together for a Future

The Middle East Church needs the help of Christians living in the non-persecuted world to ensure its future
6 Jan 2012
New Year in Tahrir Square

Unimaginable Hope

Up to 10,000 people joined the New Year worship as it moved from church into Tahrir Square
1 Jan 2012
Tunisian protests

Religion to play a major part in Tunisia's future

It is nearly a year since Mohamed Bouazizi set fire to himself in a Tunisian market square
1 Dec 2011
Twitter

Was it really a "Twitter Revolution"?

Wazala explores the impact of social media on recent social change
11 Nov 2011
Solidarity with Syria

What's behind the conflict in Syria?

Insight to context of the Syrian conflict and the future of Christianity in the country
6 Nov 2011
Recent Coptic Protests

Egypt: Anxiety and Hope

Tensions are rising as Egypt's first democratic elections draw near. Despite growing fears, many report an air of hope across Egypt
21 Oct 2011
Faithful prayers

Underground but not Overcome

An Iranianliving in the UK shares how God is moving in her life (06-10-11)
6 Oct 2011
Bomb blast in Baghdad

Hope in the face of Danger

Lina Dawood from Baghdad, Iraq shares what life is like in Iraq and how the Christian community keep hope in the face of danger
15 Sep 2011
Lina Dawood

Growing up in Baghdad...Bombs, Poverty and Faith

Growing up with the reality of conflict, Lina, shares her story about how she sees God through it
2 Sep 2011
Ruins of St John's Basilica, Ephesus, Turkey

Against all the Odds... How God is Transforming Turkey

The local Turkish church is small but is growing against the odds
19 Aug 2011
Cave Church, Cairo

Persecution, Democracy, Grace

Bishop Angaelos, the Head of the Coptic Church in the UK, share his hopes and fears for the Christian community in Egypt
14 Aug 2011
Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali

Is Democracy Enough?

The sight of Christians and Muslims standing together in solidarity brought such hope for the future
4 Aug 2011
New Testament in Arabic

God's Word in Egypt

Ramez Atallah, the General Secretary of the Bible Society of Egypt, shares some of his thoughts about his work
3 Jun 2011
Egyptian Revolution

Concern for Egyptian Christians

International experts and advocates warn of the dangerous escalation of attacks on Christians in Egypt
19 May 2011
Iranian man with Bible

The Longings of the Iranian Heart

3 May 2011
Rev. Mitri Rahab

The Revolutions of the Arab World: The Promise and the Illusion

Where is the Middle East headed?
20 Apr 2011
Bible

Does the current unrest provide an opportunity for the Gospel?

Personal reflections on the current unrest and the role of media in the region's future
20 Apr 2011
Rev. Dr. Mehrdad Fatehi

What is God doing in Iran?

Dr Fatehi shares what he sees God doing in Iran and why so many Iranians are open to the love of Christ
29 Mar 2011
Egypt unrest

Change by the Moment

Unprecedented social foment continues in the Middle East and North Africa we explore what the future holds for the region
23 Mar 2011
Vicar of Baghdad with Rita from SAT-7

Vicar of Baghdad talks about his heart for Iraqi Christians

A convesation with the Vicar of Bahgdad
22 Mar 2011
Marlin

Egypt in My Heart

Reflections of a Christians from Egypt
20 Mar 2011
Iranian young men

Is the Internet Killing Satellite TV?

New media is a life line to many
1 Jan 2011
People on the move in an Egyptian street

Media Ministries are Vital to Christian Witness

5 reasons why indigenous media ministries are vital to Christian witness in the Middle East and why they deserve your increased support
1 Jan 2011

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