Saudi Arabia, Vatican reportedly agree to build Christian churches in the Kingdom

Fox News ^ | 05/04/2018 | By Caleb Parke

[SeekAndFind]

Saudi Arabia reportedly agreed to a historic deal with the Vatican to build Christian churches in the Kingdom, a potentially stunning development for the country that's home to Islam’s holiest site, Middle Eastern media is reporting.

The move would continue the nation’s effort to transition to a “moderate Islam.”

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdel Karim Al-Issa of the Muslim World League and Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, allegedly signed the agreement April 14, according to the Egyptian Independent.

Under the agreement, a joint committee with representatives from both parties will also be established to organize future meetings, which will alternate between Rome and a city chosen by the Islamic World League.

"During my meetings, I insisted very much…that Christians and non-Muslims are spoken of well in schools and that they are never considered second-class citizens," Tauran told the Vatican News, adding that he believes Saudi authorities wanted "to show that even in Saudi Arabia there is the possibility of discussion, and therefore of changing the country's image."

Tauran’s trip was also the first time the Saudi king met with such a high-profile official from the Vatican.

Inspired by the rigorous doctrine of Wahhabism, Saudi Arabia is the only country in the region that bans the building of churches and all forms of open Christian worship. Home to Islam’s holiest sites, Mecca and Medina, the move would no doubt spark outrage among Islamic hardliners. But the Vatican has urged the country to build Christian churches since a large number of foreign workers who identify as Christian are now forced to cross the border to find places where they can worship.

[stboz]

Build all you want, but just try to use them for their intended purpose.

[American Quilter]

I’ll believe they’re becoming “moderate” when they agree to allow synagogues to be built.

[Ann Archy]

Hmmmmm ....Agrabs coming into the 8th Century?? WOW!!

[Shark24]

Normally, I would consider this a good thing but why do I have a sneaky suspicion that the Vatican will now be open to even stronger support of Muslim immigration and the building of Mosques in Italy? Time will tell.

[Jan_Sobieski]

Babylon the Great. Mother of Harlots! (Revelation 17-18)

[Gay State Conservative]

I've visited the United Arab Emirates,which is very much and Arab,moslem nation,several times.There's a mosque on every street corner and everywhere you go (even on public streets) you hear the “call to prayer”.But they do have at least a few Christian churches...I'm not sure how many.

[SeekAndFind]

Dubai is relatively tolerant. Heck, I see women wearing shorts everywhere I go.

I know of many Christians who worship openly there.

[Does so]

Why not build churches?

Saudi Arabia already has everything Islamic it wanted.

[Gay State Conservative]

Heck, I see women wearing shorts everywhere I go.

IIRC there are special rules for Jumeirah beach...but I did see a "burkini" there.I also saw signs at the Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates requiring "respectful" dress.

[ebb tide]

Just more targets for the muslims to blow up.

Fifteen of the nineteen 9-11 hijackers were Saudis.