MAKKAH – Some 23,000 British Muslims are performing Haj this year, according to Mohammed Shokat, the British Consul General in Jeddah. “This is roughly the similar number we have had over the last few years, and it almost reaches the 23,000 pilgrim quota allocated to British Muslims,” he told Saudi Gazette. Shokat highly commended the services provided by the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, specially healthcare services. “Because of the high quality of these healthcare services rendered to the pilgrims every year, we did not have a medical delegation as part of the wider British Haj team for the third consecutive year,” he said. “We commend not only what the Saudi government did in the healthcare sector, but for every other sectors like transport, accommodation, communication, security and food provision to make the life-time journey of Haj as pleasant an experience as possible,” he said. A small volunteer group of doctors led by Lord Adam Patel is, however, providing general medical advice. But serious cases are referred to the usual healthcare services provided by Saudi health authorities, the consul general said. This year four British pilgrims died of natural causes, he said. This is the 14th year that the British consulate is providing its services through British Haj Consular Haj Team composed of people coming from UK, the consulate in Jeddah, and colleagues from the embassy in Riyadh. British pilgrims can reach the team any time on 02-5745555 or mobile number 0501128731 for any help or information. “I am very proud as a consul general in Jeddah to have this team here to serve our British pilgrims in fulfilling their spiritual journey,” he said.
