Turkey | SAT-7


Occupied by the Byzantines and the Mongols, the modern history of Turkey begins with the formation of the Ottoman Empire in the 13th century, which conquered large areas of the Middle East and Eastern Europe prior to its defeat by the Allied forces in World War I.  A small group of military cadres, led by future President, Ataturk, resisted the authority of the Allies and successfully formed the Republic of Turkey in 1923.


Turkey is a secular republic, with a popularly elected parliament and President.  The President is largely a ceremonial figure, as the prime ministers, elected by parliament, carry much of the executive power.

Social Issues

Turkey is a multicultural and multi-ethnic country, currently facing much civil and political unrest amongst its ethnic minorities, such as the Kurds of south-eastern Turkey, who have been campaigning for several years for greater autonomy and political representation.

SAT-7 Viewership

SAT-7 TURK currently transmits 4 hours of Turkish language programmes across Turkey each day.  Precise viewing figures are unknown.


Turkey currently has an estimated population of 77 million, of which 99.5% are Muslim, and 0.5% Christian; the Christian population is an approximate 110,000.1  Christianity was recognised as an institution in the Lausanne Treaty of 1923, and the country has some 200 registered churches today.2  The Armenian and Syrian churches make up the majority of congregations.  Proselytizing is legal in Turkey, but is viewed as socially unacceptable and dangerous, and there have been reports of vandalism of churches and attacks on new believers.

Prayer Points

  • Pray for the acceptance of Christianity and believers in Turkey.
  • Pray that believers will be strengthened through SAT-7 TURK's programmes.


“Last night I watched the ‘Words of Hope’ programme.  What the host read from the Bible really affected me.  My system of belief—the way I’ve been burdened all my life with living under punishment because of how religion was explained to me—has been turned upside down.  I would be very happy if you could help me in this matter, the matter of finding God.”   From a Turkish viewer

1. International Christian Concern | 2. Middle East Concern


viewer quotes


A Syrian woman


A viewer in Tehran

"Your channel is a gift. I guess if we could add to the Book of Acts in these days, your channel would definitely be part of it."

A viewer in Egypt


A family in Saudi Arabia



An Algerian viewer


Man from Morocco


SAT-7 ARABIC viewer in the Holy Land




Afghan father who watches SAT-7 PARS


An Iranian viewer


A viewer of 'Just for You'


Male viewer, Morocco


Parent in Egypt


Viewer in Kuwait


A woman from Saudi Arabia


From a young child in Jordan