A Christian Church in Qatar

A Christian church in a Muslim country is a rarity.

Qatar has allowed a Christian Church to be built within its borders.

The Roman Catholic Church is known as Our Lady of the Rosary. To get to it requires a 15-minute drive into the desert. It has no cross, no bell and no steeple.

The pastor and parishioners would prefer that no one knows about it. "The idea is to be discreet because we don't want to inflame any sensitivities," said Father Tom Veneracion. "There isn't even a signboard outside the church."

Up until five years ago, Catholics in Qatar had to meet "underground" Then the emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, gave five denominations permission to open churches.

All is not well in the sands of Qatar, however. Qatar is a Wahhabi Muslim country, and some feel that the church is an "offense." A well-known politician has even asked for a national referendum to determine whether the church stays or goes.

A reporter for the Al-Arab newspaper wrote that "The cross should not be raised in the sky of Qatar, nor should bells toll in Doha."

But, a former dean of the Islamic law school disagrees, saying that "places of worship for various religions is a fundamental human right guaranteed by Islam."

Saudi Arabia, the strong ally of the United States, remains the only Gulf state to ban churches.

It's kind of amazing how, with Bush and company, oil makes stronger bedfellows than does democracy or human rights.