This decree is in the news again today following reports in Al Watan Daily, to which there is no permanent link, and taken up by The Arab Times

KUWAIT CITY, July 26: A group of Islamic preachers claimed that churches should not be built in Islamic countries particularly in the Arabian Peninsula following the issuance of an approval for constructing a church in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh, reports Al-Watan Arabic daily.

Undersecretary of Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Mutlaq Al-Qarawi stressed that the ministry is not responsible for issuing licenses for building churches, and only receives the applications for licenses, which they refer immediately to the Municipality for review.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Nazem Al-Misbah pointed out that the Fatwa and Legislation Department should be questioned for such issues, stressing that based on his knowledge about Islam, it is forbidden to build churches in the Arabian Peninsula.

Sheikh Sayed A-Rifae Al-Husseini expressed displeasure towards Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, and the Municipality for approving the construction of a new church in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh, stressing that it is not permissible as per the Sharia.

He added that giving excuses such as it is a matter of human rights and international norms to build it, is not acceptable, as Islam comes first, and people should respect religion first before serving humanity or anything else.

The church in question is a Catholic church to serve the new parish dedicated to St Daniel Comboni. There are 350,000 Catholics in Kuwait; they are ministered to by the Apostolic Vicariate of North Arabia.  There are three other parishes, Holy Family, St Theresa and my favourite Our Lady of Arabia. From the looks of the photographs on the AVONA website I think the congregation is mainly Indian. 

Through the intercession of Our Lady of Arabia and all the Saints, may the Lord bless our new parish, our bishop, clergy, religious and faithful!