SAT-7 Easter Special

Nicosia, Cyprus, April 8, 2009: All across the world this Easter season, Christians will be remembering the death and resurrection of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This is even true in many Arab nations of the Middle East and North Africa. Though their communities are small in most Arab countries, in some nations the number of followers of Christ is significant. This includes Egypt, where Christians make up about 10% of the population (at least 8 million people, mostly Orthodox believers, but include some Protestants and Catholics) and Syria (mostly Catholic) and about 3% of the population in Iraq (mostly Catholic, but also Assyrian and Protestant). Lebanon has the largest indigenous Christian community by percentage (at one time more than 50%, but today believed to be around 30%) made mostly of Catholics, but also including Greek Orthodox, Protestant and other Christian communities.

These Lebanese Christians play an important role in society and hold many high positions in government, business and in the influential Lebanese media. Lebanese satellite TV channels are very popular across the Arab world, but many viewers don’t know that many hosts appearing on these channels are Christians. But this Easter several famous Lebanese media personalities will be talking about the importance of their faith during a special program being produced and broadcast by SAT-7.

These hosts include Ricardo Karam (from the LBC channel), who is well known for interviewing American and French presidents and famous celebrities like Celine Dion and Pavarotti. Other Lebanese celebrities appearing on the program include Hiam Abou Shdeed (the main presenter for Studio AL Fan), Maggy Aoun (LBC), and Katia Khoury Mounadalak (LBC, MTV). All these famous hosts donated their time to appear on SAT-7.

During the SAT-7 Easter special entitled, “…And Follow Me,” the guest hosts will profile a number of ministries working to help the poor, refugees and orphans in the area, and each host is presenting a special gift to these ministries. The program also features a number of musical performances recorded in front of a live studio audience.

SAT-7 believes its viewers in the Middle East will be deeply touched as they learn about the Christian faith of these well-known TV celebrities. This special program is just one of dozens of Easter shows being broadcast on SAT-7’s channels during the Easter holidays. Other programs include a number of live youth and children’s shows, films (including the JESUS Film and The Miracle Maker), live church services (from Lebanon, Egypt and Bethlehem) and documentaries that describe the importance and reality of Christ’s resurrection.

The “…And Follow Me” Easter special will air at 8:00 p.m. CET on April 11th. For more information about the other Easter specials, check the SAT-7 broadcast schedule at www.sat7.org SAT-7 is broadcasting programs for both the Western and Eastern Easter celebrations one week later and include Holy Week live events for both Christian calendars. For more information about these programs or SAT-7, write news@sat7.org

###

Launched in 1996, SAT-7 is a Christian television service created by and for the People of the Middle East and North Africa with U.S. headquarters in Easton, Md. SAT-7 makes Christ's message of hope available to every home in the Middle East. Each week between 9-10 million people tune into the channels (Intermedia research, 2004 – 2006). Broadcast in three languages—Arabic, Farsi and Turkish—SAT-7 can be viewed via satellite in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, much of Central Asia and worldwide at www.SAT7.org. For more information about SAT-7 go to www.sat7usa.org (English), www.sat7.com (Arabic) and www.sat7PARS.com (Farsi).

CONTACT:
SAT-7 USA
(410) 770-9804 or (866) 744-7287
usa@sat7.org

Date: 7/16/2009 4:08:35 PM