wfn.org | [ACNS] New Anglican Church Centre to be built in of Qatar

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

ACNS 4042     |     MIDDLE EAST      |	   5 OCTOBER 2005

Church Centre for Qatar

A new Anglican Church Centre is to be built in the State of Qatar in the
Arabian Gulf. The initiative has arisen from the generosity of the
country's Ruler, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, who has ensured an
allocation of land for churches and church communities in Doha, the
country's rapidly-developing capital.

Embarking on the first such construction of church premises in the
country since the seventh century, the Anglican Diocese of Cyprus and
the Gulf has drawn up plans for a development on the site. London-based
architect Tom Hornsby's design has at its heart a church to be known as
the Church of the Epiphany for the worshipping community. It also
includes meeting space and facilities for a wide range of community
activities.

The Anglican Bishop in Cyprus and the Gulf, the Most Revd Clive
Handford, said that the Centre will also be used for interfaith
dialogue.

"This Centre will serve people of many nationalities and backgrounds who
live and work in Qatar. 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
and in the world. 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."

The Anglican community in Qatar has already raised a quarter of the £4
million needed for the project and an appeal for the remainder is to be
launched at Lambeth Palace on Thursday evening (6th October) by the
Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.

For further information please contact Mrs Jane Kellet on 01243 771962
or on 07808 724243 .

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