Satellite TV Channel Under Investigation

Rooftop satellite television dishes are
typical in the Middle East and North Africa.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Bbbremi (cc)

Officers from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology's Censorship Department entered the television broadcasting offices of SAT-7 in Cairo on Saturday, October 10th. After presenting a search warrant, they proceeded to confiscate cameras and other vital broadcasting equipment. Farid Samir, the director of SAT-7's operations in Egypt, was taken in for questioning by police but released after Egyptian church leaders intervened on his behalf.

During a two-hour hearing the following day, charges were brought against Farid claiming incorrect registration of a TV channel, failure to hold licences for certain editing activities, and failure to comply with regulations concerning live streaming of broadcasts on the Internet. However, lawyers acting on SAT-7's behalf refuted these charges, demonstrating that the censorship department's report contained factual errors and presenting evidence to confirm that SAT-7's registration and licences are in good order.

It is yet to be determined whether the case should proceed to court as deliberations could take up to two weeks' time. Meanwhile, SAT-7 will be deprived of its confiscated equipment, causing significant disruptions to its operations. The broadcaster emphasizes that one of its key aims is to promote a peaceful co-existence in the Middle East by fostering bridges of understanding between different faith communities. More information on persecution in Egypt is available at this page.

Ask for God's peace and protection to be upon all who are involved in the broadcasting ministry of SAT-7, and that His wisdom be granted to Farid and his legal team in their interactions with the authorities. In fact, may the Lord's profound presence be experienced at every meeting to such an extent that even those in opposition won't be able to deny His reality and existence. Also pray that the television ministry be permitted to continue its operations unhindered, so the proclamation of the Gospel message and the promotion of a peaceful co-existence in the Middle East can continue blessing many viewers' lives.

  • Country Information

    Population
    109,546,720 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Egyptian (99.7), other (0.3)

    Religion (%)
    Islam (90), Christianity (10)

    Leader
    President Abdelfattah Said El-Sisi (2014)

    Government type
    Presidential republic

    Legal system
    Mixed legal system based on Napoleonic civil and penal law, Islamic religious law, and vestiges of colonial-era laws

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Egypt

    Pray on behalf of those who are facing economic and social challenges because of their Christian faith. Ask the Lord to provide for their spiritual and practical needs – further strengthening and emboldening them so they can effectively share the message of the Gospel with others in their communities. May the hearts of those who hear it be open and receptive to the wonderful truths contained in God’s Word.

Egypt News

  • Christian Convert Charged with Terrorism
    Saeid Mansour Abdulraziq is casually leaning to the side and smiling.
    Saeid Mansour Abdulraziq
    Photo: CSW

    On July 22nd, Egyptian authorities formally charged Saeid Mansour Abdulraziq (a convert from Islam to Christianity) with joining a terrorist organization, stirring unrest and spreading false information. Since converting to the Christian faith in 2016 and joining the Russian Orthodox Church, Saeid experienced persistent rejection from his family and community, as well as intimidation from local police. Despite these challenges, he regularly shared his newfound faith with those around him.

  • Prisoners Released After Years of Detention
    Abdulbaqi Saeed Abdo
    Abdulbaqi Saeed Abdo
    Photo: ADF International

    Originally from Yemen, Abdulbaqi Saeed Abdo was forced to flee to Egypt in 2014 after being subjected to violent attacks because of his conversion to Christianity. Then, in 2021, Abdulbaqi was arrested by Egyptian officials following an interview he did for a Christian television program addressing the topic of persecution in Yemen. Additionally, he was identified as a member of a Facebook group for those who had converted from Islam to Christianity. Nour Gerges, an Egyptian Coptic believer who also participated in the same Facebook group, was arrested at the same time.

  • Three Christians Hospitalized After Stabbing
    Three crosses on Coptic steeples are silhouetted against the sun on the horizon.
    Domes of a Coptic Church building in Egypt.
    Photo: Flickr / Andrew A. Shenouda (cc)

    Three Christian men were hospitalized after being brutally attacked on November 5th in Ashruba, a village located within the Minya province of Upper Egypt. This is only the latest incident to occur amid a recent surge of sectarian violence throughout the region.

  • Christian Homes and Businesses Burned
    A water truck is working to douse a fire.
      

    Late into the evening of April 23rd, Islamic militants set fire to several homes and shops owned by Coptic Orthodox Christians in the village of Al-Fawakher, which is located in Egypt's southern Minya province. Although the attackers attempted to prevent the occupants from leaving their burning homes, thankfully there were no reported fatalities.