The Association of British Hujjaj thankfully wish to place on record, a special letter message in appreciation of the services rendered to the Muslim community, from the Prime Minister, Tony Blair on the eve of the annual Hajj Umrah conference 2000-2001!
The press has quoted 'These seminars seem to have gone down well with the pilgrims and the Hajj tour operators. There was a crying need for such type of seminars and the ABH is indeed doing a great job' |
However, in spite of the best possible precautions, over 20 British pilgrims lost their lives in the recent years in the United Kingdom. Feeling the pain of this tragedy, we approached Mr. Alan Milburn, Secretary of Health expressing our deepest sorrow and extreme distress.
In response to urgent appeal by the A.B.H. to the then Health Secretary, Mr. Alan Milburn, a meeting was held between A.B.H. and the Department of Health on 27 July 2001 and an action plan was discussed and implemented by the A.B.H. by immediate launch of the meningitis awareness campaign, again through high profile press publicity campaign, seminars, radio and TV talks, multilingual printed literature distribution. Particular emphasis was focused on the need of the new meningitis vaccine made available by the Health Department. This campaign generated much interest and nationwide support by the print and electronic media. Special programmes were telecasted by 2 Islamic TV channels in the U.K. in which senior doctors from the A.B.H gave talks about meningitis and all other health related issues. These programmes were live and viewers from all over the U.K. as well as the other countries phoned in to seek expert advice. These programmes have been very well received by the viewers and are repeated at least twice a year by the A.B.H.
The press has quoted 'These seminars seem to have gone down well with the pilgrims and the Hajj tour operators. There was a crying need for such type of seminars and the ABH is indeed doing a great job'
All the Muslims TV channels and Press carried out our campaign's message and information and specifically there was good coverage to Awareness Week Launch at House of Lords, seminars in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bradford and Glasgow. |
To make Meningitis Awareness Campaign a success, several events have been organised during the last two years, including the extremely successful re-launch of the meningitis campaign at the occasion of our annual conference in Birmingham, before the Hajj in January 2002. Lord Hunt, the Health Minister, was the Chief Guest at the event which was very well attended by the community. The conference was also attended by the Lord Ahmed of Rotherham, as well as representatives from the City Council and Local Health Authority. Senior doctors also addressed the audience, which proved to be the most beneficial and informative. These activities were closely followed by the print and electronic media.
We were overwhelmed by the success of our campaign and the appreciative and encouraging response from the community. Our joint efforts, along with the Department of Health, have proven a great success, and since then, there is no loss of life in this country due to meningitis outbreaks amongst the British pilgrims.
The Association of British Hujjaj (pilgrims) U.K. has taken another remarkable initiative to launch first ever National Hajj Umrah (Health and Safety) Awareness Week in December 2004. It was launched by Lord Ahmed of Rotherham. (patron of A.B.H.) at House of Lords, London.
This prestigious event was attended by diplomats, community leaders, TV and media journalists including Lord Hunt, former Minister of Health, Ambassador Ferej Alowedi, Deputy Head of Mission, Saudi Arabia, Ambassador Pengiran Haji Yunus, High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam, Haji Salim Moosa, Grand Mufti of Albania, and representatives from the Syrian and Egyptian embassies.
While describing meningitis as one of the most notorious killer diseases the executive committee member of A.B.H and a senior GP, Dr. Syed Raza Hussain opened the meningitis awareness campaign simultaneously and urged the Hujjaj to make sure they get a special ACWY vaccine available from their doctor before leaving for Hajj.
During this week, A.B.H. organised free seminars and educational training programmes throughout the U.K. i.e. London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bradford and Glasgow. Association of British Hujjaj also appealed to the British Muslim community organisations to help prospective Hajj & Umrah pilgrims by organising similar educational training programmes in their area.
All the Muslims TV channels and Press carried out our campaign's message and information and specifically there was good coverage to Awareness Week Launch at House of Lords, seminars in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bradford and Glasgow. We were over whelmed by the response and we received a large number of enquiries from throughout the UK which showed that our message is being well received in the community and it made our campaign a real success. It is very encouraging and we are confident that we will achieve our objective through our hard work.
The executive committee of the Association of British Hujjaj is comprised of devoted, dedicated and hard-working professionals who are very much committed to this noble cause to provide services to humanity on voluntary basis. The association will continue to make every effort to fulfil its desired objectives in the coming years.
We have established our branches in several key cities such as Manchester, Bradford, Leeds, London, and Glasgow through which we propose to extend and expand our services throughout Britain.
Finally, the Association of British Hujjaj would like to express its gratitude to its patron, Lord Ahmed of Rotherham, all Members of Parliament, government departments, community organisation and particularly the Department of Health for their help and support to enable us to protect the British pilgrims suffering from difficulties, hardships and loss of innocent human lives through meningitis outbreaks.
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