As conflict rages across the Middle East and Africa, young Arab children are turning to the Arabic language SAT-7 for inspiration, hope, and assurance.
Andrea El-Mounayer, SAT-7 KIDS Channel manager, calls the ministry a “sanctuary,” with programming inviting young viewers to share their fears and prayers.
There is no lack of conflict and hopelessness in the region. In Lebanon, society remains on the verge of collapse as factions such as the Hezbollah terrorist group and the country’s other political parties battle for control. The nation has experienced astronomically high inflation, lack of electricity and water and food, and the effects of the explosion at Beirut’s port that left tens of thousands homeless and countless dead.
Turkey continues to bomb Syria and it’s own eastern provinces with civilians often caught in the crossfire. In the Gulf, upwards of 4 million refugees remain as a result of the war between Yemen and Saudi Arabia and the takeover of Yemen by radical Islamists.
And in the Holy Land, the recent attacks by Hamas and residents of Gaza on Israeli communities has led to a ground invasion by Israel to eliminate the threat. Many Arabs in Gaza are being held hostage by Hamas leadership and being prevented from moving to safe zones set up by Israel. In addition, the terrorist organization is using Gazans as human shields and even placing its headquarters under a hospital.
For children across the region, the news has instilled fear and sleepless nights
For children across the region, the news has instilled fear and sleepless nights. SAT-7 Kids is available to offer hope.
“Our young viewers across the MENA region came together to share their deepest fears, hopes, and prayers amid the chaos,” says El-Mounayer.
Kids want peace, she contends, saying, “Their earnest pleas for peace provided a ray of hope, and their sincere prayers were a source of inspiration for us all.”
The ministry relayed the words of one young girl, “With God by our side, we will surely be stronger.”
The ministry believes that the Lord hears the cries of these little ones and that He is faithful to answer all of our prayers!
Andrea shares, “Our young viewers across the MENA region came together to share their deepest fears, hopes, and prayers amid the chaos.”
The ministry shares other details of the program
In a live episode of Behind the Door on the station last week, children shared their heartfelt prayers for those suffering and grieving, bringing tears to the eyes of the show’s presenters.
“I am living in constant fear due to this war,” shared Sali*, a young girl from the Holy Land.
The episode opened by acknowledging the dire situation in the Holy Land and inviting young viewers from across the region to share their fears and prayers – while also encouraging them to cling to faith and hope.
Comfort for souls burdened by the weight of war
Behind the Door is providing “comfort for souls burdened by the weight of war,” sags El-Mounayer. “Our young viewers across the MENA [Middle East-North Africa] region came together to share their deepest fears, hopes, and prayers amid the chaos.”
The children’s prayers were moving and powerful, showing great empathy for those suffering loss and grief, as well as deprivation as a result of humanitarian crises. “I can eat, but they cannot! I can sleep, but they cannot!” Abeer from Algeria shared.
The children’s messages were simple, yet profoundly genuine
“The children’s messages were simple, yet profoundly genuine, as they beseeched the Lord to extend His helping hand to those who are wounded and in need. Their earnest pleas for peace provided a ray of hope, and their sincere prayers were a source of inspiration for us all,” Andrea added.
During the episode, the presenters encouraged the young viewers to practice Jesus’ teaching of loving our enemies. “Whenever I contemplate the teachings of Jesus, I find the strength to imagine the future with hope,” said Antonios, a young viewer from Egypt.
The episode also highlighted the war in Sudan, which has displaced nearly four million people from their homes. Estephanos, a young Sudanese boy who fled with his family to Egypt, called the program to pray for his family to be able to return to their homeland, and for he and his sister to be able to resume their education – having been rejected by Egyptian schools. Despite all his suffering and loss, Estephanos urged other young viewers who are experiencing similar hardships to persist in prayer and trust in God’s divine timing for their deliverance.
“In the face of despair, we found a beacon of hope in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,” Andrea concluded.
–Dwight Widaman and SAT-7
*Viewer names changed for security.
