{"id":47907,"date":"2014-09-24T12:07:54","date_gmt":"2014-09-24T12:07:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=e11d938fe0de57ff04605d9e5f2d091c"},"modified":"2014-09-24T12:07:54","modified_gmt":"2014-09-24T12:07:54","slug":"press-release-foreign-office-team-to-support-british-pilgrims","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=47907","title":{"rendered":"Press release: Foreign Office team to support British Pilgrims"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A team of staff from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has been established to accompany British pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, Minister for the Middle East, Tobias Ellwood MP, announced today.<\/p>\n

This will be the 16th time that the UK has provided a dedicated team to support to British Hajjis.<\/p>\n

Minister for the Middle East Tobias Ellwood said: <\/p>\n

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The Foreign and Commonwealth Office understands how deeply important the Hajj is to the British Muslim community, and we will once again be providing a team ready to provide assistance. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia provides excellent facilities and services to all pilgrims, and I would like to thank them for everything it does for British pilgrims on Hajj.<\/p>\n

We are committed to providing appropriate consular services to British pilgrims during Hajj, through having dedicated support staff on the ground in Makkah and Jeddah. Last year we provided a range of support, including replacing lost travel documentation.<\/p>\n

Effective preparation by pilgrims, such as ensuring they have appropriate travel insurance, and carrying copies of their passports and other important documentation, is key to ensuring a safe and trouble-free Hajj. I hope that all those undertaking Hajj this year will have a peaceful, successful and rewarding pilgrimage.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The FCO website has specific health and travel advice<\/a> and general travel advice for Saudi Arabia<\/a> for Pilgrims performing Hajj. <\/p>\n

Further information<\/h3>\n

British Hajj Consular Delegation 2014<\/h3>\n

This year\u2019s Hajj is expected to take place from 2 \u2013 7 October. Approximately 18,000 British Muslims are expected to participate. A British Hajj Delegation has been based in Makkah every year since 1999. <\/p>\n

Our focus remains providing appropriate support to those in need. Last year the consular delegation provided a range of support to British pilgrims. This included: <\/p>\n