Madam, - Michael Jansen gives an interesting description of the opening of the first Catholic church in Qatar, under the title "Strict Islamic state allows Catholic church to open" (World News, March 17th).
As someone who lived in Qatar, I would substitute the word "devout" for "strict". I found Qataris to be tolerant and laid-back, and I was surprised to read that they are adherents of the Wahhabi sect - that rigid form of Islam practised in Saudi Arabia.
Qatar enjoys a generous form of welfare with beautiful housing and strict control of food prices. In contrast to Saudi Arabia, non-Muslim expatriates are entitled to a generous ration of alcohol, and jewellery shops display gold crosses, medallions and pendants of Christ and the Virgin Mary.
The report refers to churches in Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman and to places of worship for Hindus and Sikhs in the United Arab Emirates. It should also be recognised that the magnificent Catholic, Anglican and Greek Orthodox churches in Kuwait were all built at state expense.
When the oil started to flow in Abu Dhabi in the 1960s, the late Sheik Zaqbut not only built a Catholic church but also requested that he should attend the opening ceremony.
Given that there is a lot of misunderstanding about Islam, I feel that Muslim (and Arab) tolerance should be acknowledged wherever it occurs.
- Yours, etc,
DAN O'DOWD, The Berries, Athlone, Co Westmeath.