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Qatar's Indonesian ambassador to attend dedication of Catholic church in Qatar

Sen, 17 Maret 2008 | 06:00 WIB

Doha, NU Online
Indonesian ambassador to Qatar Rozy Munir recently attended the dedication of the Catholic “Our Lady of the Rosary” Church in Mesaimeer, Doha. On the occasion, Rozy said the establishment of the first church would pave the way for inter-religious dialogue in the country.

Rozy explained that the establishment would be such a medium of the importance of mutual understanding among religious adherents and be medium of inter-religious communication campaigning the message “peace, prosperity, and tolerance.” NU Online's contributor in Doha Ahmad Sudrajat reported.<>

Rozy who is now the chairman of the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) also said the establishment was the feature of tolerance depicting Islam as the blessing for the universe. He was of view the feature of tolerance would “make pluralism of faiths, ethnic groups very appreciated in Qatar.”

Present also on the occasion were Deputy Prime Minister of Qatar Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Atiyyah, Archbishop Mounjid Al- Hasyim, Paul Hinder and scores of Fathers from Qatar and other countries.

“The construction and the dedication of the church are aimed at bridging differences through dialogue and blessing for the fellow human being,” Al-Atiyyah said, adding the the government of Qatar had allowed the construction.

The church that can hold some 1000 people has cost a lot of money amounting to US $ 20 million. Roads and supporting buildings have now also been constructed.

Qatar is a country with its total population amounted to one million people consisting of ethnic groups and faiths, namely India, Nepal, the Philipine, Bangladesh, Pakistan and many other Middle East countries. Indonesians living in the country are at about 25.000 and Malayisa's 2000. (rif)