What a sad view that Mr. G Blezard paints of the Catholic Church. I am glad that he is one of the sad minorities that do not share the joys that their neighbours are allowed to worship in freedom and experience their thirst for the satisfaction of their spiritual needs. I say to people like them to break out of the vacuum you live in look to build up the future. A future where all people can worship in freedom. Sadly people like Blezard have closed thier hearts to unity and cordiality a very non Christian attitude. I only feel sad for them.

Nath, Surrey, England,

Let us be quite clear rome has been fornicating with Islam for years and will prove to be as always a great stirer of trouble with any one who opposes her own programe.
This church without a cross then is the engagement of two religions seemingly opposed but in nature one and the same
That union will prove to be the greatest danger to both the christian and the jew.

G Blezard, London, uk

This is a move forward for toleration in the Gulf. However, I disagree with Russ Feldmeier, Maryknoll, New York, USA. This is about freedom of worship and not proselytising. Christians in the Gulf should have freedom of worship, as should Muslims in Europe and the USA. And Atheists and Agnostics everywhere should also have the same freedom not to worship or be bound by such mores

Richard, Bexhill, UK

This is an historical achievement I would say, I appreciate the Father parish priest for his extra-ordinary work. But to note what is behind this approvals of church in Qatar? something to do with trade? who knows?

Paul, Dubai, uae

A good beginning.

But do these principles apply to Muslims in non-Muslim nations?

We Hindus, Christians, Buddhists and others have our sensibilities too!
Regards,

Krishna R. Kumar, Udupi, India

Migrant workers, such as the Filipino workers in Qatar, will be powerful agents of Christian missionary growth in areas that are known as traditional non-Christian countries. They bring their faith with them to these countries.

Russ Feldmeier, Maryknoll, New York, USA

Latest estimates actually put the population of Qatar at 1,500,000, not 900,000. The estimates were released earlier this year in local papers - previously it had been estimated that the country would only pass the one million barrier this year.

James, Doha,

I'll hold my applause until the first synagogue is erected in Qatar.

E.Y., Toronto, Canada

OK Hamad, let's take the minarets off the mosques in London. And who would the bells offend 15 mins into the desert?

Michael, Dubai,

True Hamad, but an external cross signifies that it is a church - a reminder to the world of what it is there for. The bells remind people when there is a service of worship - a call to worship just as muslims are called

Derek Westwood, Burton-on-Trent, UK

The Bishop of Oxford should read this article and reconsider his endorsement of permitting a muzzaine to call muslims to prayer by loud speaker three times a day in central Oxford

Archie, Greenock, Scotland

Why the bally-hoo? The fact is that the building is a church. It does not need a cross, or bells to be used as a place of worship.

Hamad Lone, London, England