Proclaiming freedom on human rights day
As in many places in today’s world, countless people in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are marginalised simply because of who they are. And as the pandemic and lockdown continue, women, members of minorities, and people with disabilities are even more vulnerable to being denied their rights and freedoms. On Human Rights Day (10 December), we shine a light on the struggles and strength of these communities, and on how SAT-7 serves them.
From women in rural North Africa whose lives are so restricted they feel they were “born to die”; to impoverished children in Iran made desperate as the pandemic destroys their chance for education; to people with disabilities denied a place in society, and refugees who live in stateless limbo, without rights – across the MENA, a lack of freedoms destroys hope, and it destroys lives.
But in God’s eyes, no human being is relegated to the margins; to Him, every person is precious. So, He calls and equips His children to “proclaim freedom for captives” (Isaiah 61:1) and SAT-7’s holistic programming is an answer to this call in three ways.
First, as we share the Gospel across the region, our viewers of all backgrounds find freedom in Christ: true, life-changing freedom from spiritual darkness and despair. Our programs also give marginalised people the freedom to be heard – meaning millions encounter the otherwise side-lined voices of women, children, Christians and members of other religious and ethnic minorities.
Finally, SAT-7’s channels help viewers to know their rights and find freedom to seek change. Programs offer the safe, taboo-breaking space for discussion needed for transformation to begin in homes, families, and communities. They provide educational content on human rights, and they walk with viewers through stigma and struggle as they take steps – where they safely can – to realise their rights.
“This call is why SAT-7 has always been a holistic ministry; why our vision includes seeing MENA Christians contribute to the good of our societies. Doing so is an inescapable part of truly loving our neighbour. When we lift up oppressed women or people with disabilities, we live out our belief that all people are made in God’s image. When we give a voice to refugees, we fulfil His call to care for the stranger. When we educate viewers on their right to freedom of religion and belief, we help make a way for them to seek God for themselves, shares SAT-7 CEO Rita El-Mounayer on her latest vlog for Human Rights Day.
In the following series of articles, you can read more on how SAT-7’s programs support members of Christian minorities, women, refugees, people with disabilities, and vulnerable children to find freedom. Please pray for our viewers as you read.