Famous Lebanese Media Personalities Appear in SAT-7 Easter Special

Though their communities are small in most Arab countries, in some nations the number of followers of Christ is significant. This includes Egypt, where Christians make up about 10% of the population (at least 8 million people, mostly Orthodox believers but including some Protestants and Catholics) and Syria (mostly Catholic) and about 3% of the population in Iraq (mostly Catholic, but also Assyrian and Protestant). But Lebanon has the largest indigenous Christian community by percentage (at one time more than 50%, but today believed to be around 30%) made mostly of Catholics but also including Greek Orthodox, Protestant and other Christian communities.

These Lebanese Christians play an important role in society and hold many high positions in government, business and in the influential Lebanese media. Lebanese satellite TV channels are very popular across the Arab world, but many viewers don’t know that many hosts appearing on these channels are Christians. But this Easter several famous Lebanese media personalities will be talking about the importance of their faith during a special program being produced and broadcast by SAT-7.

These hosts include Ricardo Karam (from the LBC channel) who is well known for interviewing American and French presidents and famous celebrities like Celine Deion and Pavarotti. Other Lebanese celebrities appearing on the program include Hiam Abou Shdeed (the main presenter for Studio AL Fan), Maggy Aoun ( LBC), and Katia Khoury Mounadalak (LBC, MTV). All these famous hosts donated their time to appear on SAT-7.

During the SAT-7 Easter special entitled وأتبعني (…And Follow Me) the guest hosts will profile of a number of ministries working to help the poor, refugees and orphans in the area, and each host is presenting a special gift to these ministries. The program also features a number of musical performances recorded in front of a live studio audience.

SAT-7 believes its viewers in the Middle East will be deeply touched as they learn about the Christian faith of these well-known TV celebrities. This special program is just one of dozens of Easter shows being broadcast on SAT-7’s channels during the Easter holidays. Other programs include a number of live youth and children’s shows, films (including the JESUS Film and The Miracle Maker), live church services (from Lebanon, Egypt and Bethlehem) and documentaries that describe the importance and reality of Christ’s resurrection.

The “…And Follow Me” Easter special will air at 8:00 CET on April 11. For more information about the other Easter specials, check the SAT-7 broadcast schedule at www.sat7.org SAT-7 is broadcasting programs for both the Western and Eastern Easter celebrations one week later and include Holy Week live events for both Christian calendars.