We have finished 26 new Kabyle TV programs. Each program is about 27 minutes. In these programs two Christians from Algeria discuss themes from the Christian faith. The two men are from the Kabyle people group.There are about 6 million Kabyles in Algeria, and probably another 4 million in Europe, mostly in France. Tens of thousands of Kabyles have become Christians in the past 20 years. Television broadcasts of Christian programs in the Kabyle language have played a very important role in this. The authorities in Algeria first ignored this movement of the Kabyles to the Christian Church, but in the last years they have adopted rather draconic laws. We hope that these 26 news programs will encourage the followers of Jesus Christ in Algeria and elsewhere.

Fourteen dramatized stories of Moroccans coming to faith in Jesus Christ are being broadcast on satellite TV now, directly into the homes of millions of Arab viewers. A lot of effort has gone into the production of this unique project by Arab Vision, including over two hundred volunteer actors, actresses and production crew from various countries.

Each half hour episode is presented by a Moroccan host introducing the story the viewers are about to see. Then the story comes to life with dramatized reenacted scenes and the voice of the Moroccan convert narrating his/her personal testimony. Actors are used rather than the actual people for security reasons.

 (Nicosia, Cyprus – September 1, 2009) The latest media developments in the Arab World reveal an oscillation between contradictory trends shaping the freedoms and restrictions on Arabic Christian TV broadcasters.

 (Nicosia, Cyprus – August 24, 2009) A new satellite TV channel was launched at the start of Ramadan by Sunni clerics to discourage extremism and promote the moderate face of Islam. Azhari TV, which traces its roots to the renowned and authoritative Sunni institution, Al-Azhar University, faced some opposition during the weeks leading up to its launch. Coptic Christians in Egypt complained of religious favoritism since they are not allowed to have their own TV channel.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. It is during this month that Muslims observe the Fast of Ramadan. The name Ramadan is derived from the Arabic word ‘ramida’ or ‘ar-ramad’, denoting intense scorching heat and dryness, especially the ground. From the same word there is ‘ramdaa’, meaning ’sunbaked sand’ and the famous proverb ‘Kal Mustajeer minar ramadaa binnar’ – ‘to jump out of the frying pan into the fire’. Some say it is so called because Ramadan scorches out the sins with good deeds, as the sun burns the ground.

Over the last few years, the number of Arabs with access to satellite TV has grown immensely, and along with it, the number of Christian TV channels covering the region. Governments and religious groups in the Arab World are aware of this, and there is a good chance that availability of Christian channels through satellite TV will be curbed or placed under censorship. The broadcast charter agreement last year between the Arab League countries may well be the first step towards tightening the control on satellite TV.

So what other option do we have to make our programs accessible

On 12 June, nine foreigners were kidnapped in Yemen. Three of them were murdered shortly afterwards.

There remains no news of the remaining six missing foreigners: a German couple, Johannes (36) and Sabine (36), their three children, Lydia (4), Anna (3) and Simon (1), and a British man, Tony. Tony is married.

An Egyptian man, who earlier this year became the first Muslim to receive a conversion certificate from the Coptic Church, has been denied the right to change the religious status on his ID card by a court in Egypt. His legal team is preparing to appeal the ruling.

Satellite TV channels have become very popular in Algeria over the last few years.  However, the main digital station packages are now encrypted, leaving the Algerian viewers with very few alternatives.