Jack Straw unveils British Hajj Delegation
(7th February 2002)

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw launched the British Hajj Delegation, headed by Lord Patel of Blackburn (Leader of British Hajj delegation) and Dr Ahmad Al-Dubayan (Director-General of the Islamic Cultural Centre), today at the Islamic Cultural Centre in Regents Park, London. This is the third year running Britain has sent a Hajj Delegation to Mecca. It is the first historically Christian country to organise such a delegation.

Jack Straw said: 'I am very pleased to be launching the third British Delegation to the Hajj, in Saudi Arabia. '20,000 British pilgrims are expected to perform the Hajj this year, and the Delegation will be on hand to provide consular and medical assistance."

"The Delegation will be led this year by Lord Patel of Blackburn. I am delighted that three Muslim members of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, six doctors, and two counsellors will support him. The Delegation reflects the broad diversity of Britain's Muslim communities." The Foreign and Commonwealth Office will contribute £20,000 towards the cost of the Delegation with further sponsorship being provided by Royal Bombay Halwa Limited and Noon Products Limited.

In addition, an FCO brief offering 'Advice to British Hajjis' is available for download from the FCO website. It covers the necessary plans that hajjis should make, arrival and departure from Jeddah airport; issues about dual nationality, health and welfare and where to seek help. One of the key aspects of the Foreign and Commonwealth advice is to ensure that travellers have received the Meningitis Vaccine. Copies of the Department of Health leaflet on Meningitis can be downloaded from the DOH website.

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