Arabic
Tony Tadros
Senior Producer
Arabic
August, 2025
Tune in to any news network and surely you’ll see something going on in the Middle East. Sometimes I wish for “no news is good news,” but sadly this region has always been a bed of tensions and contentions. That’s why we started our Arabic broadcast over nine years ago. Our message is that of healing and hope, peace and reconciliation, forgiveness and restoration.
The Middle East and North Africa are as large as north America, with 20+ countries and a population over 400 million people, 95% of which are non-Christians. Sharing the gospel publicly is not permitted in most countries. Hence, the significance of a radio broadcast that transcends borders and cannot be blocked. We air 3 hours daily on shortwave: one centered on north Africa, a second on the Nile Valley and the Levant, and a third on the Arabian Peninsula and the Gulf area. Our broadcast is also relayed on the Voice of Hope station in Israel and on their daily web streaming. We’ve heard from listeners in Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Egypt, Isreal, Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Kuwait, Emirates, Senegal, and even in Europe and north America!
Our shortwave listeners tend to be in rural and remote areas, where there are few media options. However, a sizable chunk of our target audience lives in metropolitan areas with cell phones and internet access. That’s why we initiated social media outreach. We started with Facebook. Our page connected with the younger Gen Z and peaked during the pandemic shutdown with over 1.5 million engagements. We expanded to Instagram and SoundCloud—which is like an on-demand audio library of all our programs, where listeners can pick and choose what to listen to. Our series on depression, suicide, and marriage are particularly popular.
Our newest venture is TikTok! Young people prefer brief, visual communication. We produce a series of short videos, 2-3 minutes each. We’re pleased to see a wonderful response. A recent video about toxic relations got over 10,000 engagements and 1,000 “likes” just in a couple of days. Our team of native locals on the ground understands the changing cultural trends and produces relevant programs that connect with people where they are and take them, step by step, on a journey of faith. Same message, different formats on various platforms!
Jesus on Social Media?
April 2025
If Jesus lived today, do you think he would be on social media?
When we ask that question, people are usually divided. Some think social media is fake and that Jesus wouldn’t participate in that charade—he may even rebuke it. Others are sure that not only would he be on social media, but that he would be a great influencer with millions of followers!
Regardless of how you feel about social media, it is definitely a power to be reckoned with. Erik Qualman said, “We don’t have a choice on whether we do social media; the question is how well we do it.”
Our shortwave broadcast already reaches millions of people, especially in remote areas and countries where media access is restricted. In the last ten years we have expanded into social media platforms. We are reaching out to even more people of a different demographic, predominantly young people.
We had a great start with Facebook where we’ve had substantial engagements, at times reaching out to about 1.5 million. Then we added SoundCloud, which serves as an audio library for all our programming. People can select what to listen to, and some of them even binge on entire series. We’ve also added Instagram to keep up with the trends, especially among our younger audience.
Our latest addition is TikTok, which has become the most popular platform in the world. Our team produces short videos, 1-3 minutes each, on a variety of topics. The younger generation is more visual and prefers brief messages. Our message is still the same, but the method and the format change to keep up with the fast-changing culture. As Paul said, “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” (1Cor. 9:22-23)
Please continue to pray for our audience and our team.
Peace on Earth!
As we celebrate the Christmas season, we’re bombarded with commercials and ads telling us to buy this or that product that we must have in order to be happy! We need to remind our listeners—and more importantly ourselves—that Christ is the reason for the season! When Jesus was born, the angels announced to the shepherds “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14)
How do we achieve peace? Well, it depends on our definition of peace. President Ronald Reagan said, “Peace is not the absence of conflict; it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means.” As Christians, we should pray for peace and do everything we can to bring peace around us. But one cannot give what one does not have. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)
We share with our radio listeners the unique message that Jesus is the source of inner peace, not the circumstances. Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Personally, I don’t want to have trouble in this world. I always need to re-adjust my perspective. As Wayne W. Dyer said, “Peace is the result of retraining your mind to process life as it is, rather than as you think it should be.”
Regardless of the particulars of any conflict, as Christians, we should strive to avoid war and seek peace. I like what Benjamin Franklin said, “There never was a good war or a bad peace.” I do not like Hollywood movies that glamorize war. War is horrible! Just ask our veterans. Peace is getting ever more elusive to achieve, but it’s worth it. “Peace is such hard work. Harder than war. It takes way more effort to forgive than to kill.” ― Rae Carson.
Please continue to pray for peace and the safety of our people and listeners around the world, especially in the middle east.
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16)