The first Sunday of November is observed globally as the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Christian media ministry SAT-7 marked the occasion by sharing updates on the severe persecution faced by Christians in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
On November 3, SAT-7 Hong Kong held a prayer meeting, standing in solidarity through prayer with believers who worship in secret, reminding them that they are not forgotten.
According to the latest data from Open Doors, more than 360 million Christians around the world currently live under high levels of persecution and discrimination—an increase of 20 million in just the past four years.
In Iran and Afghanistan, Christians make up less than 0.3% of the total population. In 2024 alone, 96 Iranian Christians were collectively sentenced to 263 years in prison, six times the total prison terms handed down the previous year. Among them, Mehrann Shamloei, an Iranian Christian, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for holding a prayer meeting in his home; his appeal was denied.
In Afghanistan, where the Taliban has regained power, openly practicing Christianity is nearly impossible. Believers are stripped of the freedom to gather, worship, or publicly express their faith. Those who leave Islam face violent threats, forced reconversion, and imprisonment.
SAT-7’s Broadcasts Bring Hope to the Persecuted
According to SAT-7, faith is often a lonely and dangerous journey for Christians in the MENA region. Some are geographically isolated from other believers; others live in bustling cities but still feel spiritually alone. Many endure ongoing persecution simply because they refuse to renounce their faith.
Finding Hope in Isolation
Through the messages SAT-7 receives from viewers, the organization learns firsthand about their struggles.
Parmis, a viewer from Iran, shared that she had no one close to confide in and felt empty inside. She thanked the SAT-7 team for listening, praying for her, and bringing companionship through faith into her life.
Another Iranian viewer, Forough, described his life as filled with chaos and brokenness. After years of pain and depression, he joined SAT-7 PARS’s Bible study program. “The sound teaching, empathy, and patient guidance of the SAT-7 team helped me immensely,” he said. “When Jesus Christ entered my life, I realized for the first time that I was never alone—and I began my journey of faith and healing.”
Farhad, a believer from Afghanistan, spoke of the hardships there: “Poverty and deprivation cover our lives. I long to meet with other believers here in Afghanistan—to share even a few moments together. Perhaps that would help us escape our sorrow and spiritual burden.”
Meanwhile, Rayan, a Syrian viewer now living in Lebanon, testified through SAT-7 ARABIC: “Despite facing severe persecution, my wife, our four children, and I remain faithful and committed to living by the teachings of the Bible.”
Prayer Requests from SAT-7
SAT-7 invites Christians worldwide to pray:
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That God would protect believers who worship in secret and help them find safe fellowship.
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That the presence of Christ and the support of SAT-7’s viewer relations teams would strengthen every heart that feels alone.
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That digital networks and online fellowships would deepen the faith and sense of community among dispersed believers and Persian-speaking Christians abroad.
About SAT-7
Founded in 1995, SAT-7 broadcasts Christian television programs across 25 countries in the Middle East and North Africa in Arabic, Persian, and Turkish, and operates a dedicated Arabic-language children’s channel. Through teaching, locally relevant programming, follow-up, and prayer, SAT-7 seeks to accompany persecuted believers and help them experience the presence of the Lord.
SAT-7 Hong Kong, established in 2019, is an independent, registered charity. It mobilizes believers in Hong Kong and across Asia to care for churches and Christians in the MENA region, raising awareness of their needs and supporting gospel efforts there. Supported by churches of various denominations in Hong Kong, SAT-7 Hong Kong continues to connect prayer and compassion across borders, sharing hope where it is most needed.
