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An oasis of welcome, hospitality and dialogue

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 in Doha, the country’s rapidly-developing capital.

The Anglican community in Qatar has already raised a quarter of the four million pounds needed for the project and an appeal for the remainder was launched at Lambeth Palace on 6th October by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.

Archbishop Rowan and others examine model
of proposed Anglican Centre, Qatar

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, to be a light to the nations.

Palm court means water and life

Qatar has few trees. In a desert they indicate water and life. The main entrance to the Centre’s welcome court will be framed with date palms and shrubs, with a fountain and irrigation system. In addition to a beautiful worship area, the Centre will include a community café, activity hall, counselling centre and library, making the Anglican Centre an oasis of Christian hospitality.

Bishop Clive Handford, Bishop of Cyprus and the Gulf, said that the Centre will also be used for interfaith dialogue. He said, “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 Centre will be a place of counselling and friendship for those far away from their families. It will be a place of care, support and spiritual nourishment for families away from their homes. It will be the first base in Qatar for Christian young people from many countries to meet, learn and grow together.

For further information please contact Mrs Jane Kellet on 01243 771962 (Tel & fax) International phone +44 1234 771962. Cheques should be made out to ‘Diocese of Cyprus & the Gulf (Qatar)’. British tax payers are urged to Gift Aid their donations.

Proposed Anglican Centre in Qatar

Information on the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf