Uplink Winter 2012 - SAT-7

Uplink
Quarterly news from SAT‑7
DECEMBER 2012
Bringing
Worship to the
Egyptian Street
Sufi style songs touch the
heart of Egypt 02
Raising Awareness for
Children Seeking Refuge 04
‘King’s Strike’ Teaches
More Than Chess 06
The Language of a
New Generation 07
News SAT-7 ARABIC
Broadcasts 24/7 on Nilesat/AB7 at 7˚ West,
Txp 8, 11.355 GHz Vertical
Bringing Worship
to the Egyptian Street
Sufi style songs touch the heart of Egypt
W
e Will Sing, airing weekly
on SAT-7, is the first
Christian music program
to be broadcast live in Arabic from
Cairo. Singer and Presenter Maher
Fayez, who comes from a middleclass background, has a vision for
reaching people on the street.
Fayez’s testimony is that he came
to the Lord from the street, and
thus has a burden to minister to the
street. The unique musical style of
Fayez’s worship touches the hearts
of those who might otherwise
never enter a church.
A series of events were critical
in leading Fayez to the Lord, and
then into ministry. He experienced
a defining moment in his childhood
at the age of 9. Having loved music
from when he was young, Coptic
melodies attracted Fayez to church.
He interacted with the music
to create new renditions, much
to the chagrin of his choir class
teacher. The teacher believed the
02
new renditions were a distortion of
sacred hymns and kicked Fayez out
of the class.
Expulsion from choir made a
young Fayez bitter, and he vowed
never to attend church again.
Thereafter, Fayez would lead
a double-life, distinguished by
professional brilliance and rebellion.
At 16 years old, Fayez had already
been working for 6 years and was
making money as a wedding singer.
Frustrated with his parents, Fayez ran
away from home. His father coaxed
him to return, albeit on the condition
that no one would tell Fayez what to
do. All the while, Fayez was aware that
his father continued to pray for him.
An ambitious Fayez pursued his
dreams by studying at the High
Institute of Music in Egypt. The
studies paid off.
By the time he turned 24, Fayez
had composed 21 songs for famous
secular singers—an impressive feat
for a young professional! As a singer
in a band, he made a lot of money,
but he was spending it on drinking,
drugs, and gambling. Eventually,
his career started to lose traction.
Fayez’s connections in the media
field dried up, and he questioned
himself. Was he successful? Was he
happy? These questions
accompanied sleepless nights.
One night in particular, Fayez
was crying and wandering the
streets when he decided to visit
his father. He instinctively knew
that the way he felt that night was
an answer to his father’s years of
prayer. They prayed together, and
Fayez committed his life to Christ.
Today, Fayez is a Christian
celebrity and praise leader in Egypt.
Yet his former rebellious spirit and
struggle with a pleasure-seeking
lifestyle are experiences to which
millions of viewers can relate.
As a praise leader, Fayez chooses
to use a Sufi style of music. This
is a Middle Eastern style of music
News SAT-7 PLUS
Broadcasts on Eutelsat Hot Bird 8 at 13° East,
Txp 122, 12.380 Ghz Vertical
Count It Right Festival - Cairo, Egypt
“Something different
happens when we
come…there is a
different spirit
in this place.”
Maher Fayez at Count It Right Festival
used especially in religious worship.
Fayez commented that once his
team started to play this type of
music, “We made friends with the
street people.” The popularity of
this music did not escape even
the famous Islamic Sufi singer, Ali
Alhelbawy, who attended one of
Fayez’s early events.
After the concert, Alhelbawy
shook hands with Fayez and
proposed that they do a series
of concerts together. In 2009,
Alhelbawy performed at the
Cairo Opera House with Fayez
and his team, Karouz. It was the
first time the Cairo Opera House
hosted an interfaith gathering that
featured such Christian music.
This concert was a highlight in
Fayez’s career because over half
of the attendees were not from
a Christian background, many
thanking him afterwards for
sharing “understandable” lyrics
about the Christian faith. The
collaboration between Fayez and
Alhelbawy broke down a barrier;
Fayez said, “It was a great door
to sharing the Gospel.” In total,
Fayez and Alhelbawy have put on
23 such concerts, from Aswan to
Alexandria.
A number of notable community
members have connected with
Fayez’s worship music. The head
of the Salafist Party in Fayoum told
him after a concert, “God bless
you. I really enjoyed attending.”
A Muslim Brotherhood member
told him, “This is the first time in
my life to sing Christian lyrics, and
it sounded right.” The Deputy
Minister of Religious Endowments
commented, “This is the best of
what I’ve ever heard, and I’ll teach
it to my children.” The uniqueness
of Fayez’s tunes makes them
memorable for listeners.
At the Church of God in the
Cairo neighborhood of Shoubra,
Fayez leads hundreds of people in
weekly praise and worship. Some
of the attendees are not Christians,
and many cannot help but cry
throughout the service. They tell
Fayez, “Something different happens
when we come…there is a different
spirit in this place.”
SAT-7, for Fayez, is close to
everyone and everything, in terms
of Christian coverage of community
affairs and current events. Fayez
said, “It’s a good place to contain
our [the Karouz team’s] vision.”
In addition to his weekly show,
We Will Sing, Maher Fayez has led
worship at a number of special
events broadcast by SAT-7.
Recently, he led praise and worship
at Count It Right, a four-day megaconference in the Egyptian desert
that attracted over 10,000
attendees each day. His popularity
is drawing a wide audience of
viewers to SAT-7, and to a better
understanding of God’s true
character.
03
News SAT-7 KIDS
Broadcasts 24/7 on Nilesat/AB7 at 7˚ West,
Txp 8, 11.355 GHz Vertical
Raising Awareness
for Children
Seeking Refuge
Caring for the less-fortunate in Egypt
O
n 13 October, SAT-7 KIDS
filmed an open day for
the organisation Children
Seeking Refuge in Cairo. SAT-7 KIDS
will air footage from the event as a
half-hour special episode, in order
to raise awareness about children
trapped in poverty and violence.
Caritas, a SAT-7 partner and
Christian charity that aims to
reduce poverty and injustice,
organized the event. Nongovernmental organizations invited
and brought the guests, who
included both street children and
children who are at risk within the
home. The kids milled around the
lawn—socializing, playing games,
and making arts and crafts. SAT-7
KIDS’ cameras intrigued the
children, many of whom said that
they like watching the channel.
Children enjoyed the spotlight
on stage as they danced, played
instruments, and sang songs
they had rehearsed. Officials and
other adults attending the event
gathered around the stage to
watch the performances.
SAT-7 KIDS interviewed several
children for the special episode,
which aired during November.
Yasmine, a child who sang on stage
during the performances, said:
“This is my first time to participate
in such an event... we practice twice
a week at the Caritas Association...
I’m very happy to be part of this
event and I’ll come again if they have
another one.” Children like Yasmine,
and kids viewing the episode from
home, will hopefully be inspired
by the experience to engage in
healthy activities that
will shape their future, no matter
what their circumstance.
Mounir Zakhary, SAT-7 KIDS
04
Senior Producer, emphasizes
the severity of the challenges
facing children in Egypt. “This
is a catastrophe…the Egyptian
child doesn’t know his rights or
responsibilities.” The freedom to
practice one’s religion, have access
to clean drinking water, education,
a stable family situation, and green
parks are just a few of the basic
rights denied to millions of kids.
Likewise, without sufficient support
and development, Mr. Zakhary is
concerned that today’s children will
not be equipped to shoulder the
responsibilities of the future.
Where others have failed today’s
children, SAT-7 KIDS hopes to fill
the gap. Mr. Zakhary describes the
aim of SAT-7:
“As a satellite channel, we try
to play the role that should be
played by the state, the parents,
the church and society…We care
about all of the needs of the
child—psychological, physical,
social, and spiritual. This is our
challenge—the Egyptian child
requires more care.”
SAT-7 KIDS has a history of
attending community events to
develop positive relationships
with community organizations
and encourage children. Filming
school plays, carnivals, national
orphan’s day, and open days at
community clubs have been just a
few ways SAT-7 KIDS has tried to
encourage and support such good
work. Given the dearth of positive
television programming for kids
in Egypt, SAT-7 KIDS seizes every
opportunity to provide healthy
entertainment and tell children that
God cares about and loves them.
Viewer’s quotes
“My daughters love SAT-7 KIDS so
much! It has become an essential
part of their lives and teaches them
so many things. My three year
old daughter teaches her sister
the songs and then they dance
together. As a mother, I would
like to thank you for helping our
children to love Jesus and each
other” Mother from Egypt
Caritas dance group
05
News SAT-7 PARS
Broadcasts 22 hours a day on Eutelsat Hot Bird 8
at 13˚ East, Txp 122, 10.949 GHz Vertical
The Language of a
New Generation
Poetry and History attract Persian youth
A
t some point in their lives,
almost 30% of Iranians have
tried to express themselves
through writing or reciting poetry.
This refined form of expression,
distinguished by cadence and
symbolism, has inspired a new
program on SAT-7 PARS.
Chandelier (in Farsi, Chelcheragh)
introduces Christ through the
window of Persian literature,
history, and poetry. By watching
the show, viewers will be better
equipped to apply biblical values
while participating in community
life.
The audience of Chandelier has
numerous opportunities to interact
with the show. Presenter and Writer
Hanif Aversafi challenges viewers
to compose and send in poetry
on specific topics. During each
weekly episode, he reads the best
poems on-air and discusses the
contents. This exercise encourages
creativity, personal reflection, and
self-expression on the part of the
viewers. Follow-up interaction
between the viewers and the
Chandelier team continues online
through a blog and Facebook page.
Those who are too intimidated
06
to call in or send letters, due to
safety concerns, may opt to follow
the show’s blog or Facebook page
anonymously online.
Presenter Hanif Aversafi, a poet
in his late twenties, is both talented
and passionate about God’s Word.
Mr. Aversafi has several years of
experience in the industry, having
worked as an editor and presenter
for TV programs produced by the
Iranian Church of San Jose. In 2010,
he recited poetry at a Christmas
concert sponsored by Hovsepian
Ministries and was enthusiastically
received by the audience. The use
of poetry and the presence of a
young presenter aim to attract
Iran’s younger generation to watch
Chandelier.
Written by Mr. Aversafi and
directed by Joseph and Andre
Hovsepian, Chandelier began
airing on 23 September and will
continue for a total of 40 weeks.
Each half-hour episode contains a
mini-documentary on the episode’s
topic, lasting 3 to 5 minutes. The
show topics touch on struggles of
the human condition, to which any
viewer can relate. Some topics
include breaking the chains, grace,
Chandelier’s presenter - Hanif Aversafi
finding out the Truth, deception,
God in nature, and a person’s value.
The mini-documentaries also
cover autobiographies of famous
Iranian poets, such as Hafez and
Saadi. The poets are famous
cultural icons. Director Joseph
Hovsepian commented that, while
some of the famous poets were not
practicing Christians, “Nevertheless,
when we quote them, we find the
connection between their writings
and divine elements.” Speaking the
language of a new generation,
namely poetry, has opened up a
platform to introduce Christ and
spiritual teaching to viewers.
Mr. Hovsepian voiced his hopes
for the program’s impact: “Poetry
and literature are not something
of the past, but [their] roots are
well-grown, even in the younger
generation. We believe Chandelier
fills the gap and connects with a
specific audience that other
Christian programs are unable
to reach.”
News SAT-7 TÜRK
Broadcasts at 21:30-23:30 CET on Eutelsat Hot Bird 8
at 13˚ East, Txp 122, 10.949 GHz Vertical
King’s Strike Teaches
More Than Chess
New strategy for teaching the Gospel
A
t times, people can feel like
mere pawns in the game of
life. King’s Strike (in Turkish,
Kralın Hamlesi), a new program on
SAT-7 TÜRK, offers Turkish speakers
a strategy for understanding this
life on earth.
Chess is steadily becoming an
important game in Turkey. It is
even taught as a course in public
schools. During September 2012,
Istanbul hosted the 40th World
Chess Olympiad. King’s Strike uses
the language of this trendy game
to communicate the Christian
message.
The 13-episode series is written
and presented by Mr. Tunç
Alankus. Mr. Alankus is a Christian
believer, a member of the Turkish
Chess Federation, and a gifted
communicator.
Four segments comprise each
episode—a lesson in chess strategy,
video clips from the World Chess
Olympiad, anecdotes related to
chess, and a relevant lesson from
the Bible. Ultimately, the goal
of the program is to teach the
fundamental topics of the Christian
message alongside and by means
of the game of chess.
Melih Ekener, Executive Director
at SAT-7 TÜRK, explains the
symbolism between Christianity
and chess: “The pawn can be said
to represent a true Christian. Like
the pawn, once the Christian moves
forward, there is no going back. He
must progress steadily towards the
goal. His ultimate goal is to become
royalty.”
The Turkish Christian
population is small, and
some even have trouble finding
Bible studies and churches
where they can fellowship.
But Turks watch about eight
hours of television daily,
making television programs
a strategic opportunity for
Turkish Christians to share
their message with the rest
of society.
Mr. Ekener elaborated further
on the critical role that SAT-7 TÜRK
plays: “Turkish Christians are really
few, and that is why we feel isolated.
We are trying to tell them that they
are not alone, that we are here for
them. There are a lot of Christians
who cannot go to church because in
their villages, or in their cities, there
are no churches. So we are trying to
reach them through our programs.”
“Like the pawn, once the
Christian moves forward,
there is no going back.
He must progress
steadily towards the
goal. His ultimate goal is
to become royalty.”
07
Christian satellite television by and for the people of the Middle East and North Africa
Visit Limassol, Cyprus
Be informed and inspired!
NETWORK2013
T
hese are days of seismic
change in the Middle East
and North Africa and every
week there is a new twist or turn in
the events that are reshaping the
lives of millions across the region.
We are extending this
invitation for you to JOIN US
at our annual Network meetings,
which will be hosted in beautiful
Limassol, Cyprus. This will bring
you nearer to the heartbeat of
the Arab World,and give you the
chance to witness how SAT-7 is
impacting the MENA region. You
will also have the opportunity to
interact with our Staff, Producers
and Directors from SAT-7’s Middle
Eastern Offices.
Among our guest speakers will
be Rev Dr Sameh Maurice, the
Senior Pastor at Kasr El Dobbarah
Evangelical Church, the largest
Protestant church in the Middle
East - located just meters from
the now famous Tahrir Square in
To learn how to support
SAT‑7, please go to:
www.sat7.org/giving
SAT‑7 English Website:
www.sat7.org
central Cairo. Dr Maurice will be
leading our daily devotions and,
of course, sharing some of the
amazing things that the Church
has been involved with since the
start of the Arab Spring.
Other speakers will include
SAT-7 International Council
members from across the region,
SAT-7 Partners, regional church
and ministry leaders and of course
our own staff, who will be sharing
exciting news from each of our
studios in Istanbul, Cairo, Beirut,
Limassol and London!
Please be sure to join us for
what promises to be a very
informative and inspiring event,
and register at www.sat7.org/
network/registration2013.
Also email [email protected]
for additional information about
an optional tour of our Limassol
studios, as well as Network
related vision trips to Lebanon,
Egypt or Turkey!
Channel Websites:
ARABIC KIDS TÜRK
PARS PLUS www.sat7.com
www.sat7kids.com
www.sat7turk.com
www.sat7pars.com
www.sat7.com
Interact with SAT-7 staff
Rev Dr Sameh Maurice
International Office
SAT‑7, P.O. Box 26760, CY-1647
Nicosia, Cyprus
Phone: (357) 22 76 10 50
E-mail: [email protected]
European Office
P.O. Box 117, DK-6070
Christiansfeld, Denmark
Phone: (45) 40 33 66 59
E-mail: [email protected]
Other Offices
USA
[email protected]
Canada [email protected]
UK [email protected]
Lebanon [email protected]
Egypt
[email protected]
Turkey [email protected]