Construction is due to start early in 2006 on a four-million pounds sterling (US$7 million) Anglican church centre in the State of Qatar, the first purpose-built church construction in the Middle Eastern state since the coming of Islam.
"Qatar is an extremely important country in the Middle East and building this centre sends an unmistakable message about dialogue and understanding between Christians and Muslims," said the Nicosia-based Anglican bishop in Cyprus and the Gulf, Clive Handford.
"This centre will serve people of many nationalities and backgrounds who live and work in Qatar," Handford noted. "For many of them it will be a home from home. But we hope that it will also serve the wider community in the region."
The church centre is being built on land provided by the ruler of Qatar, Sheikh Amir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. It will include a church to be known as the Church of the Epiphany as well as temporary accommodation, conference facilities and a café.
One quarter of the cost has already been raised. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, the leader of the worldwide Anglican communion, is to launch an appeal in London on 6 October
for the remainder of the funds needed.
Jane Kellet, treasurer of the appeal fund, told Ecumenical News International the centre would be one of three buildings to be constructed in a designated religious area by Qatar's ruler. Qatar has hosted an annual interfaith meeting for the last three
years.
About 95 per cent of Qatar's 863 000 people are Muslim.
