DOHA — The construction of the first-ever church in Doha has sparked a hot debate in Qatar with a group pressing for granting the Christian minority this right and another viewing it as an imposition on the Islamic nature of the Gulf state.

Having “places of worship for various religions is a fundamental human right guaranteed by Islam,” former dean of the Shari`ah Faculty at Qatar University Abdul Hamid al-Ansari told Agence France Presse (AFP) Saturday, February 16.

Ansari attributed the opposition to “a fanatic culture resulting from religious teaching (stipulating) hatred for the other and from social norms that denied non-Muslims their rights on the basis of old political and security considerations that have become obsolete.”

Let’s all welcome the presence of churches in Qatar… as a demonstration of Islamic tolerance and human brotherhood,” he said.

The $7 million Roman Catholic St. Mary’s church will be inaugurated on March 15 by Vatican envoy Cardinal Ivan Dias.

The complex will include conference facilities, temporary living accommodations, a library, and a cafe.

The land was given by Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani.

Catholics comprise the majority of Qatar’s estimated 70,000 Christian expatriates.

“Let’s all welcome the presence of churches in Qatar… as a demonstration of Islamic tolerance and human brotherhood,” said Ansari.