Negotiations underway for first Church in Saudi; Christians elated

News of negotiations between the Vatican and the Saudi government for the establishment of the first–ever Christian church in the Islamic country has elated the expatriate Indian Christian community.

Vatican Radio reports the Vatican and the Saudi government are currently in talks to allow the church despite the religious ban on allowing the construction of any non–Muslim place of worship.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an Islamic theocratic monarchy in which Islam is the official religion. The Government does not provide legal recognition or protection for freedom of religion, and it is severely restricted in practice.

Archbishop Mounged El–Hachem, the papal envoy to Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Yemen and the United Arab Emirates said talks had started a few weeks ago, after Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah met the Pope in Vatican, last November.

Last week, thousands flooded in the first Mass at Qatar's only church built in the Gulf country since the advent of Islam in the seventh century.

In Saudi Arabia, apart from the freedom of religion being severely limited, Christians in possession of bibles, rosaries, and crucifixes are banned, arrested or imprisoned.

Biju Thomas, a migrant from Kerala, explaining the plights of Christians in the country said, "I have been persecuted by the Imams just for being a non–Muslim. I even dont remember the last time I attended a Christian service. Everything is done secretively. They have made it difficult for non–Muslims to maintain contact with clergymen or attend services."

Under the auspices of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, approximately 50 so–called "Call and Guidance" centers employing about 500 persons work to convert foreigners to Islam. Some have been forced to convert for better comfort.

More shocking is the Islamic textbooks rendered to students urging them to hate Christians, Jews, polytheists and other unbelievers. Students are being taught that Christians and Jews and other Muslims are "enemies" of the true believer.

Of the 27 million in Saudi Arabia, 8 million are foreign workers largely from India, Bangladesh, Philippines, Pakistan and other East Asian countries. Christians account for 3.7% of the population.