No. 1076
September 4, 1994

To: Dohuk Municipality
Re: Opinion

Referencing your letter No. 2149 of August 31, 1994, and pursuant to ours No. 1062 of April 1, 1994.

In view of public interest and religious legality, we do not approve the construction of a bishopric headquarters for the Church of the East at the intended location in the religious neighborhood (Hay Al Ulamas) in Dohuk for the following reasons:

1. The population of the Ancient Church of the East in Dohuk are very few and the existing places of worship are adequate to practice their religion.
2. The site chosen for the bishopric headquarters is close to Muslim mosques and is located within their modern residential areas. This situation will create religious sensitivity.
3. The bishopric headquarters of this group (Mar Yabalaha Parish) is originally in the village of (Doore) in the area of Barwari Bala.
4. Amounts allocated for this project and the chosen site might be directed to construct a scientific college, an orphanage, a martyr's center, or a health center which is more preferable in the present circumstances of Kurdistan.
5. The Islamic Law (Shari'a) does not justify the creation of a church in an Islamic country.

Therefore, our opinion is not to approve it but deny it.

With respect

Abdul Hameed Adil Yazdeen, Director
September 4, 1994

cc:
Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs -- the Millet Council
Union of Islamic Ulama in Kurdistan
All Mosques