Christian Broadcasts to the Middle East

ARABIC SATELLITE RADIO

Radio Al Mahabba
(Radio Love)

Millions of Arabic-speaking listeners across North Africa, the Middle East and Europe can now hear Christian radio programmes 24 hours daily in their language via satellite, through a cooperative effort of HCJB World Radio and Arab World Ministries (AWM).

Test transmissions for the region's first Christian Arabic satellite radio service, called Radio Al Mahabba (Radio Love), began on March 21. The broadcasts make the gospel available for the first time in an area where just 0.4 percent of population knows Christ.

"Per capita, this region has the world's highest concentration of satellite dishes," says the regional director. "Our intent is to encourage Arabic-speaking Christians, helping them to get in touch with other believers, and also introducing many listeners to Christ."

[HCJB RELEASE 24/3/01]

Radio Authority Minutes March 2001

HCJB-UK was granted a new licence for a service to be known as Radio Al Mahaaba. The licensee will provide a service of a Christian cultural nature directed to a general audience in the age range of 15 to 25 years. The output will consist of general interest programmes with a significant amount of music programming. It will be transmitted for 24 hours each day, 7 days a week. The service will be in Arabic, using the dialects of Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. It will be free to air and carried on the Eutelsat satellite.