By IINA,
Doha : Sheikh Yusuf Qaradhawi, head of the International Muslim Scholars Union, issued a verdict to allow Christian citizens to set up church in Islamic countries. Responding to a question on the endowment for set up a church in Qatar, Qardhawi said that according to the political jurisprudence based on religious and social interests, the establishment of churches in Islamic countries should be authorized by heads of Muslim nations. He further called on leaders of Islamic states to permit the establishment of churches for Christian minorities in Islamic nations respecting verdicts by prominent Muslim scholars.
Sheikh Qaradhawi underlined that such an act will help Muslims to expand cooperation and interaction with followers of other divine religions. Pointing to the believes of certain Muslims that cooperation with Christians in establishing churches is improper and contrary to the tenets of the enlightening religion of Islam, he noted that Muslim nations are entitled to cooperate with Christians in setting up church and religious places, and that the effort is endorsed by the almighty God.
It is worth of mentioning that the first church in Qatar was launched on March 5, 2008, and despite the extended opponents in Qatari society, its government has agreed to the establishment of four other churches.