“We can’t openly celebrate Christmas,” explains Setareh* an Iranian woman. “It is forbidden for us to say we are Christians and to speak the name of Jesus as Lord.”

“Since the Taliban takeover, girls in my homeland have been deprived of the most basic freedoms such as education and sport,” shares Mariam*, a SAT-7 PARS viewer from Afghanistan. The challenges of women in Iran and Afghanistan have increased dramatically in the past year, and SAT-7 PARS continues to support and empower them in their desire for change and freedom.

As intense protests continue in Iran, SAT-7 PARS’ Viewer Support team have been witnessing a growing unity among Iranian and Afghan viewers through their prayers of intercession for one another. Persian-speaking viewers are calling on the Lord for freedom, peace, and safety for people across the region.

The death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in the custody of Iran’s “morality police” has sparked that nation’s most serious unrest since 2009. Mahsa, an Iranian Kurd on a visit to family in Tehran, was detained for allegedly wearing the hijab incorrectly and days later, on 16 September, died after being hospitalised in a coma.

On 2 November, SAT-7’s Persian-language channel SAT-7 PARS launched a new social media initiative, Church4Afghanistan, comprising of a new brand and a live program.

Christian TV and media network SAT-7 is responding to the continuing nationwide protests and government crackdown in Iran by joining a global two-week campaign of prayer. From Friday 21 October, SAT-7’s Persian language channel, SAT-7 PARS, is devoting the first five minutes of every live programme to prayer for Iran and its people.

Iranians protesting the killing of Mahsa Amini by Iran’s Hijab Police have captured the attention of people around the world. The sight of young women and men wielding only words against a regime armed and willing to use its might against unarmed citizens is the story of David and Goliath being replayed before our very eyes. But in this modern retelling, David is injured and dying every day.

After nearly two weeks of protests in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini, is there any hope left between the violence and anguish?  “Yes,” says SAT-7 PARS Presenter Sally Momtazi. “Women are no longer alone; the country’s men are standing with them.”