London Central Mosque Trust & The Islamic Cultural Centre

Launch of The British Hajj Delegation

The British Hajj Delegation lead by Lord Adam Patel was launched at the Islamic Cultural Centre on September 29 2012

Speakers at the launch included:

- Lord Adam Patel
- Dr Ahmad Al Dubayan, Director General The Islamic Cultural Centre - London
- Abdul Rahman Al-Aneezi, Counsellor of the Saudi Embassy in UK.
- Dr. Ali Hamed S. Al-Ghamdi, Health Attache from the Saudi Cultural Bureau, UK
- Baroness Paula Uddin
- Lutfur Rahman, Mayor of Tower Hamlets

Dr. Ahmad Al-Dubayan, Director General of the Islamic Cultural Centre, welcomed the new organization and cited the remarkable initiative by the British Muslim community to help Hajis. He said that as far as he knew, there was no similar organization in Germany, France, Italy, Spain or any other country in Europe. He also said that it was now the Muslim community's task to continue this initiative and to let it flourish and develop. On behalf of the British Muslim community, Dr. Dubayan acknowledged the efforts of the Saudi Embassy in the UK for tackling problems related to the facilitation of the Hajis. He also appreciated the continuous support of Abdul Rahman Al-Aneezi, Counsellor of the Saudi Embassy in UK.



The Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia was also praised for providing commendable services to the Hajis every year. Dr. Dubayan further said that taking care of around four million Hajis who come from all walks of life is not an easy feat. He said that managing a pilgrimage of such a magnitude every year is indeed remarkable because the guests of Allah are given special care and attention.



Al-Aneezi further said that the Saudi authorities are always devising ways to improve their services at the two Holy Mosques in order to meet the needs of the proliferating number of Hajis every year. He also enlightened the audience about the plan of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, to expand the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah.



Lord Patel said that the main aim of the BHD is to take care of the British pilgrims and other Hajis in Makkah, praising the commitment and selfless dedication of the doctors who voluntarily give up 16 days of their time each year.

Lord Patel said that according to a report commissioned by the UK Government Foreign and Commonwealth Office, an estimated amount of around one million pounds is saved every year because of the work carried out by the BHD by taking care of any health issues for the pilgrims thus saving days off work for sick leave on return to the UK. He said in the last 11 years they have supported over 30,000 people.



Dr. Ali Hamed S. Al-Ghamdi, Health Attache from the Saudi Cultural Bureau in UK, said that during the Olympics the UK government sought advice from the Saudi government on crowd control.