Stories told by vulnerable refugees sheltering in Egypt from turmoil in their home countries have hugely impacted SAT-7’s viewers, prompting a vast outpouring of compassion and care.
Refugee Tales consists of 25 short social media documentaries featuring people of all ages and from several countries in the Middle East. The series achieved remarkable viewing levels: Half a million people watched for at least 30 seconds, and 227,000 saw a full eight-minute episode. Most importantly, a flood of positive messages on social media, including encouragements, prayers, and even offers of help, showed how deeply viewers were affected.
The refugees recounted painful stories of family members separated, killed, jailed, and disappeared, of homes bombed, of surviving rape, kidnap, and torture. They also highlighted the exploitation, isolation, and prejudice experienced by so many migrants in their adopted countries.
Death threats
The video that was seen by the largest number of people triggered some 4,300 reactions, comments, and shares. Nashwan from Iraq worked as a craftsman for the army and police, and so he became a prime target after so-called Islamic State overran his area in 2014. When the fighters threatened to kill him and his family, they fled hastily – like thousands of others – to Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan.
More recently, the family moved to Egypt. Iraqis in the country struggle to secure residential papers, and consequently Nashwan’s four daughters have been unable to enroll in school. He has to find work as a labourer, and sometimes there is none.
After hearing the family’s traumatic story and seeing how close-knit they are, many viewers posted messages of encouragement, and at least two offered practical or financial help.
Impoverished and harassed
The story of Ashwaq attracted an astonishing 583 comments. Born in Sudan, she graduated in psychology and pre-school education and came to Egypt in search of work. But despite her university qualifications, she can only find employment as a home help. The money she earns is barely enough to pay the rent and make ends meet. Instead of offering support or friendship, people in the street harass her because she is a single mother.
But Ashwaq faces these challenges and difficulties bravely. “I try not to focus on what I do not have, but rather on the beautiful things that I have, such as my child and the blessing of being in good health. I try to show care to all those around me as much as I can.”
A viewer in Algeria encouraged Ashwaq: “Don’t despair sister, trust God and draw close to Him in prayer and you will be released God willing very soon.”
Another viewer said, “You are the bravest woman I have ever seen and the most optimistic; God bless.” A third said, “You are a hero; God is with you, and He will never abandon you.”
Resilience
The mini-documentaries are marked by tenacity and resilience. They include the stories of two sisters who started a skills and learning foundation for Syrian and local women, a Syrian musician who has begun choirs, runs music therapy, and has opened a café, and a young Syrian woman who became involved in running integration workshops for fellow refugees when she was just 15.
Refugee Tales is part of a wider SAT-7 project, funded by the Norwegian Mission Society, to bring positive change by promoting the rights of marginalized people in the Arab world. It aims to create awareness, empathy, and strengthen integration and peaceful coexistence. As part of this, a key aim has been to stimulate public discussion through media such as Refugee Tales.
Prayer Points
- For those in the Middle East region displaced due to violence and political turmoil in their home countries
- For viewers watching Refugee Tales to be encouraged and seek after God
