Quiddity
UndertheInfluenceofGiants
They are literally risking there lives by doing this. Please pray for them.
Islamic criticism and support for the first Catholic church in Qatar
The building dedicated to St Mary will soon be ready for Easter, but it is generating a great deal of public discussion, divided between the moderate Muslims who are favourable, and the orthodox Muslims who find its opening "repugnant".
Doha (AsiaNews/Agencies) - The Catholic church of St. Mary, constructed as planned without a bell tower or cross, is close to inauguration. In spite of the great modesty of the Catholic community, there is no lack of disagreement on the part of a Muslim intellectuals who are firmly opposing the new church, maintaining that a popular referendum is necessary.
The pages of the newspaper Al-Arab read, "the cross should not be raised in the sky of Qatar, nor should bells toll in Doha". In a letter to Al-Watan, the engineer Rashed al-Subaie maintains that the Christians have the right to practice their faith, but should not have permission to build places of worship. The lawyer and former justice minister Najib al-Nuaimi expresses himself as along the same lines. Nuaimi stresses that Qatar is a Muslim country, not a secular one, and maintains that a referendum is the only way to ensure that the church is socially acceptable.
<snip>
http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=11549&size=A
Islamic criticism and support for the first Catholic church in Qatar
The building dedicated to St Mary will soon be ready for Easter, but it is generating a great deal of public discussion, divided between the moderate Muslims who are favourable, and the orthodox Muslims who find its opening "repugnant".
Doha (AsiaNews/Agencies) - The Catholic church of St. Mary, constructed as planned without a bell tower or cross, is close to inauguration. In spite of the great modesty of the Catholic community, there is no lack of disagreement on the part of a Muslim intellectuals who are firmly opposing the new church, maintaining that a popular referendum is necessary.
The pages of the newspaper Al-Arab read, "the cross should not be raised in the sky of Qatar, nor should bells toll in Doha". In a letter to Al-Watan, the engineer Rashed al-Subaie maintains that the Christians have the right to practice their faith, but should not have permission to build places of worship. The lawyer and former justice minister Najib al-Nuaimi expresses himself as along the same lines. Nuaimi stresses that Qatar is a Muslim country, not a secular one, and maintains that a referendum is the only way to ensure that the church is socially acceptable.
<snip>
http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=11549&size=A
