More than 21 million people now watch Christian television
broadcaster SAT-7's channels across the Middle East and North Africa; an
increase of 76 per cent in five years.Saudi Arabia, where blasphemy against Sunni Islam is punishable by death, and Syria both now have a "very significant" number of viewers, the organisation said on Monday.
More than 10 million people watch the Christian TV station's three Arabic-language channels at least once a week, according to a new survey carried out between April and July this year.
In total, the three have a combined audience of 21.5 million.
"The research shows remarkable growth for SAT-7 audiences in the MENA region. It is very encouraging, especially at a time when you would expect people to be preoccupied with hard-news channels due to the ongoing turmoil in the region," said Dr Terence Ascott, founder and CEO of SAT-7.
Ascott said one factor causing the growth may be that "many people are deeply distressed by the situation in the Middle East: they have lost trust and hope in both their religious and political leadership, and they are looking for divine help and guidance.
"Many are emotionally tired and are searching for something to lift their spirits; some positive news; something that can encourage them," he added. "The messages of faith and hope that SAT-7 broadcasts are very attractive."
Countries where SAT-7's audience is growing in North Africa include Egypt, Morocco and Algeria.
"The Christian population in these countries are very small but they have been active in helping produce relevant and dynamic programming for North Africa," SAT-7 said.
The number of children viewing SAT-7s Arabic programming has also risen. It now has around 4.6 million viewers, 80 per cent of whom watch at least once a week.
"Children are the main hope for any future change in the Middle East, and we take seriously the responsibility to help build in them character, as well as creative, learning and analytic skills that will enable them to make good choices in life – choices that will help build more pluralistic and peaceful societies," Ascott said.
Earlier this month, SAT-7 broadcast an event in Erbil, Kurdistan, which saw tens of thousands of Christians persecuted and displaced by ISIS come together to pray for the future of Iraq.