Russian Orthodox, seeking fair play, ask to build church in Saudi Arabia

In case you missed it, in November a couple of Russian Orthodox organizations, figuring that turnabout is fair play, sent a letter to the Saudi king asking for permission to build a church in Riyadh. After all, the Saudi Kingdom had recently announced plans to build a mosque in Moscow. Sounds reasonable to me.

According to the letter:

"Moscow Orthodox believers have recently learned that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia plans to build one more mosque in our city. Historically, not only Orthodox churches were built in Moscow: our capital have synagogues, though there are enough Orthodox Churches in Israel; we have Catholic churches, but there are several Russian Churches in Italy; even two Shiite mosques are located in our city...

"You often say that Islam is a religion of justice. However, if Saudi Arabia builds mosques in dozens of Christian countries, isn't it just to build a church for Christians living in Your Kingdom! ...It would be just to create the same conditions for Saudi Christians as Muslims have in Russia.

"Today relations between Russia and Saudi Arabia actively develop. You and Your associates urge to strengthen friendship between our countries and develop dialogue between Islam and Christianity. All these initiatives should be appreciated, but only in case, they are mutually useful. Alongside with fighting negative image of Islam among Christians, myths about Christianity should be renounced. If You offer to broadcast the Mecca TV channel in Russia in order to preach "pure Islam" among Russians, then it would be just to give Your subjects a chance to watch Russian Orthodox channel that can simply explain Muslims that Christians do not believe in three gods, do not misquote Bible and do not pray to idols.

"It is the only way to make interreligious dialogue honest and just."

Why not? They make a good point. In democratic countries throughout the world, Muslims have the right to exercise their religion. But in Islamic countries. . .

Russian Orthodox figures ask Saudi King’s permission to build a Christian church in Arabia, Interfax.

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