The Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) UK, a national Hajj and Umrah specific organisation working for the welfare and wellbeing of pilgrims have raised this issue with Dr. Bandar bin Mohammed bin Hamza Asaad Al-Hajjar, Minister of Hajj, Prince Khaled Al Faisal, Governor of Makkah and Prince Mohammed Bin Nawaf, Ambassador of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in London. The Kingdom has been urged to defer this visa rule change at least for this year to help and protect the guests of Allah (SWT) from unnecessary stress, anxiety, mental anguish and financial loss.

The Association of British Hujjaj (pilgrims) UK also strongly urges specifically those prospective pilgrims who have performed their Hajj/Umrah previously to seriously consider postponing their travel plans at least for this year to avoid overcrowding at the Haram-e-Makkah where expansion work is being undertaken. The holy city of Makkah is also facing a serious shortage of accommodation due to redevelopment plans resulting in the demolishing of a large number of hotel buildings. This gesture will ensure the welfare and wellbeing of pilgrims from around the world and will enable them to perform their religious obligation in peace and harmony.

Health experts from ABH also strongly support the call from the World Health Organisation (WHO) that Coronavirus is a threat to the entire world and countries must respond to this menace, which WHO director generals have described as “one of the most lethal influenza viruses we have seen so far.”

After the tragic deaths of 2 people from Birmingham, UK, due to Coronavirus, ABH expresses its grave concern about welfare and safety of over 125,000 British pilgrims who travel to Saudi Arabia every year to perform pilgrimage and some 30,000 British nationals who are living and working in Saudi Arabia.

ABH has issued a strong warning to all prospective pilgrims and travellers to Saudi Arabia that it is extremely vital that they must take every precaution to safeguard their health and safety.

The following preventive measures can be taken to “minimize the risk of Coronavirus and other infectious diseases, specifically while they are amongst the daunting crowd of millions of people around them”, said health experts from ABH.

• In crowded places, infections are bound to spread. Remember, germs are spread by droplets from our mouth as we speak or when we cough especially if phlegm is present, or by direct contact such as by sharing of unwashed utensils.
• People with low body immune system are vulnerable to contagious diseases.
• Try to maintain high standards of personal and surroundings cleanliness to minimize the spread of diseases.
• Avoid crowds and dust wherever possible. Acute upper respiratory infection and epidemics of flu-like illnesses are also very common. Vast majority of these are viral. Seek medical advice if not sure.
• Avoid as much as possible contact with infected people.
• Wash hands well and continuously with water and soap or with other disinfectants used for hand washing, especially after coughing or sneezing.
• Use tissues when coughing or sneezing and cover mouth and nose.
• Try as much as possible to avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth by hand, because it can transmit the virus after touching surfaces contaminated with the virus.
• Wear masks in overcrowded places.
• Adopt hygienic and healthy practises such as balanced diet, physical activity, and taking enough sleep.

ABH also strongly supports the requirement from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that the countries sending pilgrims should implement wide-scale health education programs towards the prevention of infectious diseases and ensuring that travellers must get recommended inoculation before travelling.

The Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) UK, a national Hajj and Umrah specific organisation working for the welfare and wellbeing of pilgrims, lauded the action taken by the Minister of Hajj and condemned the crimes committed against the guests of Allah (SWT) by unscrupulous and rogue service providers. “It is outrageous that these culprits took advantage of vulnerable and innocent people, including the sick, elderly and disabled at what would have been their once in a lifetime trip to perform Hajj and Umrah. Most pilgrims spent their entire life-savings to fulfil their desires and wishes to perform the pilgrimage and it is a disgrace that these vulnerable people were preyed upon ruthlessly.”

The Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) strongly urges the Minister of Hajj Dr. Bandar bin Mohammed Al-Hajjar to adopt a zero tolerance policy to crack down on Hajj/Umrah service providing companies which are responsible for this growing culture of deception and corruption. Most of the crimes against the guests of Allah (SWT) are being committed during Hajj and Umrah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by these international service providers. A zero tolerance policy will ensure the welfare and wellbeing of millions of pilgrims from around the world in order to allow them to perform their religious obligation in peace and harmony.

In February this year, there was a tragic death of a British person who returned from Saudi Arabia. He fell critically ill soon after arriving in the UK due to Coronavirus and subsequently he passed on the infection to his son who also died in the hospital. It was sheer luck that the infected person fell ill straight after landing in the UK and did not go out in the community. Otherwise, there could have been quite serious consequences as this virus is being transferred from human to human.

Every year over 125,000 British nationals travel to Saudi Arabia for Hajj/Umrah pilgrimage. A vast majority of these travellers, who are old, aged, sick and disabled, have always been at high risk of contracting infectious diseases due to their close proximity with millions of people from around the world during the Hajj/Umrah pilgrimage. In the recent past, about 20 British Hajj returnees have tragically died in the UK due to the meningitis outbreak. These tragic deaths due to contracting deadly infectious diseases are clear evidence of the seriousness of addressing the issue.

Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) UK strongly supports the requirement from the Government of Saudi Arabia that the countries sending pilgrims should implement wide-scale health education programs towards the prevention of infectious diseases including making it compulsory for travellers that they must get recommended inoculation before travelling.

They are all saddened by this tragedy. The son died last month after contracting this deadly virus from his father who fell ill soon after returning from Saudi Arabia. The father had been critically ill and was fighting for his life in a hospital in Manchester for a number of weeks and last night also passed away.

The Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) UK a National Hajj/Umrah specific charity has expressed its deep concerns about this tragedy. The present Coronavirus scare once again highlights the desperate need to send constant reminders, specifically to British Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. A vast majority of these are old aged and are suffering from chronic diseases. They are vulnerable due to daunting crowds, physical exertion and high temperatures. Such an environment makes the pilgrims more prone to contracting infectious diseases through close contact with millions of others from around the world.

ABH strongly urges the authorities that they must learn a lesson from the previous meningitis outbreak in UK where over 20 British Hajj pilgrims tragically died. It is extremely vital that the relevant authorities must take the Coronavirus threat seriously as well.

The department of health and local health authority’s response so far towards this scare and tragedy is highly disappointing. No apparent action has been taken to address this issue to ensure the safety and welfare of the overseas travellers and the community.

The community is shocked and saddened by this tragedy. The deceased contracted the Coronavirus from his father, who is also currently fighting for his life in hospital. His father recently returned from Saudi Arabia after performing an Umrah pilgrimage. The Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage is an ongoing process and every year over 125,000 British citizens travel to Saudi Arabia to perform the pilgrimage. These British travellers have always been at high risk of contracting infectious diseases due to their close proximity with millions of people from around the world during the pilgrimage. In the recent past, around 20 British Hajj returnees tragically died in the UK due to outbreaks of meningitis.

“We are extremely concerned about this Coronavirus scare and strongly urge the Government and relevant local authorities to take appropriate measures to prevent the future loss of innocent human lives, specifically amongst vulnerable British Hajj and Umrah travellers, in view of the present Coronavirus scare,” said Khalid Pervez, General Secretary of A.B.H.

Press Release, London 

A national organization working for the welfare of Hajj & Umrah pilgrims, Association of British Hujjaj (pilgrims) UK (A.B.H) expressed its sorrow at the death of five British Umrah pilgrims from the same family in a road accident while they were travelling from Makkah to Madinah.

“We would like to convey our condolences to the deceased’s families, friends and relatives and deepest sympathies. It’s highly regrettable that despite the Saudi Government making every effort to facilitate and to ensure the safety of Pilgrims; tragic incidents are still taking place,” said, Khalid Pervez, General Secretary of Association of British Hujjaj (pilgrims) UK.

In recent years many innocent pilgrims have lost their lives in preventable accidents. Therefore, the Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) UK strongly urges the relevant authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to enforce strict road safety measures to help and protect the pilgrims. Every effort should be made to make this journey safer for pilgrims by addressing the real cause of these accidents.

Health experts from The Association of British Hujjaj (ABH) a National Hajj & Umrah specific organisation in the UK, issues a strong warning to over 100,000 prospective British pilgrims who will travel to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah (lesser Hajj) during this Umrah season that they should be aware of the risks of Meningitis and must get a ‘ACW135Y Vaccine’ from their doctor, in order to protect themselves and their families before leaving for Saudi Arabia.

The health experts reminded these prospective Pilgrims that Meningitis is one of the most notorious killer diseases known to mankind, with a very high risk of mortality and disabilities. Unfortunately there have been over 20 tragic deaths amongst British Hajj pilgrims due to a Meningitis outbreak in the past. Therefore Pilgrims must take this threat seriously.

The Pilgrims are at risk of Meningitis infections due to the crowded condition at ceremonies, accommodation sites, and public transport. Meningococcal infection is transmitted through direct person-to-person contact with droplets of nasal or throat secretions of infected individuals, and close and prolonged contact (e.g. sneezing and coughing on someone, etc.) facilitates the spread of infection. The most common symptoms are stiff neck, high fever, sensitivity to light, confusion, headaches and vomiting.

Meningitis vaccination is a mandatory legal requirement by the Saudi authorities to issue them entry visa for Saudi Arabia. However The Association of British Hujjaj (A.B.H.)  also expresses its grave concern that some unscrupulous travel and tour operators are obtaining visas for their clients without producing Meningitis certificates and therefore  putting innocent lives in danger by discarding the importance of having a Meningitis vaccination.

Pilgrims are also warned that they can be checked at the Saudi airports by the Saudi authorities to ensure that they are vaccinated and so they must carry their vaccination certificate with them at all times during their visit.

“Remember: Prevention is better than cure. Be safe rather than being sorry”, said the health experts.