Britain is sending 25,000 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for this year's Hajj which falls in the second half of January, officials said. The figure is 3,000 more than the number of pilgrims last year. The British Hajj mission made up of 40 members would have eight doctors, including two female physicians, as well as preachers and social counsel. A staff from the British Consulate in Jeddah will join them. Mike O'Brien, Under Secretary for Trade and Minister in-charge of Muslim affairs, praised the contribution of British Muslims in public life stating it helped enrich British society. The continuous dialogue and discussions between British officials and Muslim community leaders have helped create a better understanding between the two sides. O'Brien was speaking in London on Wednesday night at a ceremony held to mark the departure of the official British Hajj delegation to the holy land. He commended the support and services Saudi Arabia extends to British pilgrims throughout their stay in the Kingdom. The British Hajj mission represents an exemplary cooperation between the British and Saudi governments and the British Muslim community. Around 40,000 Britons come to Saudi Arabia each year, mostly for Hajj, and also to perform Umrah (minor pilgrimage). The ceremony was addressed by Muslim Member of British House of Lords, Adam Patel, who will lead the British Hajj delegation for the sixth consecutive year who said he was happy to lead the delegation for this season as well. He praised the cooperation of the Saudi Embassy in Britain as well as the assistance provided by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and other departments for British pilgrims. The ceremony was attended by representatives of Islamic councils and a number of officials from the Foreign Office as well as representatives of other religious groups. Dr. Ahmad bin Muhammad Al-Debaya, director of the Islamic Cultural Council in London, outlined the services and facilities provided by the center to Muslims wishing to perform Hajj. He described the relationship between the center and the Foreign Office as excellent. O'Brien said British Muslims charity societies have joined others in providing assistance to the victims of the earthquake and tsunami that ravaged large areas in Southeast Asia and were among the first to collect donations to assist the victims.
