Catholic radio station reaches faithful across Middle East

Published: 2004-06-30

BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNS) -- In Lebanon, loudspeakers on minarets broadcast noontime prayers from mosques; at the same time thousands of Christians across Lebanon listen to the Angelus on a Catholic radio station. The Voice of Charity -- Lebanon's "No. 1 radio station during the peak time of 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.," according to Father Fadi Tabet -- can be listened to via the Internet from anywhere in the world. Father Tabet is director of the station, the only Christian radio station in the Middle East. It also broadcasts in Syria, Cyprus, Egypt and Jordan, as well as in the Holy Land. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2004, the Voice of Charity radio has come a long way since its humble beginnings. What started as a recording studio for aspiring Christian musicians soon grew into an evangelizing tool, producing audio cassettes for the Congregation of Lebanese Maronite Missionaries. Father Hannoun Andraos, who helped found the station, said he wanted "to spread the good news" on the airwaves. With the help of volunteers he built the station's first transmitter with an electronic kit.

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