For the first time since the arrival of Islam in the seventh century, a Christian church, headed by Scottish archdeacon Ven Ian Young, will be built in conservative Muslim Qatar. Work on the Anglican Church of the Epiphany will begin on land donated by the Emir of Qatar, Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani. The church, which was mostly funded by churches and organizations outside the country, will act as both a place of worship for the Anglican community and as a base for ongoing Muslim-Christian dialogue. Qatar is home to more than 70,000 Christian expatriates, including Anglicans, Roman Catholics, Egyptian Coptic Christians and other non-denominational believers. (The Scotsman)
