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In the news
last update sunday 4th December, 2009

Number 10 marks Eid ul Adha

Wednesday 2 December 2009

The Prime Minister has welcomed Muslims from across the UK to Downing Street for a reception for Eid ul Adha.

The annual festival, which marks the end of the Hajj - the pilgrimage to Mecca - was celebrated by Muslims around the world last week.

Speaking about Eid ul Adha, Gordon Brown said:

“Marking the end of the Hajj, this most holy occasion commemorates our common humanity and reminds us of the importance of devotion, fairness and the equality of all human beings before God.

“It allows those of us of other faiths, and none, to reflect on the unique Islamic contribution to Britain and to share with you in celebration of all that has been achieved by British Muslims across so many walks of life. Today Muslims around the United Kingdom and the world will be reflecting on many challenges that face us and the deep moral issues like conflict, poverty and climate change. Together we can stand up to these challenges and move forward to a better world.”

Link to Number 10

Prime Minister’s message for Hajj

Wednesday 25 November 2009

The Prime Minister has sent his best wishes to all Muslims making the annual Pilgrimage of Hajj.

The PM said:

Approximately 25,000 British Muslims travel to Saudi Arabia for the annual Pilgrimage of Hajj. I am proud that the UK Government was one of the first in the Western World to send a Hajj delegation to Saudi Arabia to provide British Hajis with consular and medical services.

This period is of course a time of deep personal reflection but it is also a time of great celebration. I wish Hajj Mubarak to all of the pilgrims and Eid Mubarak to you all.

Link to Number 10

British medical volunteers begin giving health care

Tuesday 24 November 2009 (07 Dhul Hijjah 1430)

JEDDAH: A team of eight British doctors, all volunteers, have opened clinics and health-care points in Makkah this week to provide on-the-spot health care to UK pilgrims.

The doctors are part of the 10th British Haj Delegation, led by Lord Adam Patel for the 9th consecutive year. The delegation also includes consular staff to deal with lost documents and repatriation should the need arise. The team will be based in Makkah but will be traveling to Mina and Arafat during the Haj.

“Members of the Ministry of Haj are now just like members of the family,” said Lord Patel. “They know me and I know all of them. In that respect that makes dealing with procedures very easy." Read more

Muslims brave swine flu worries to make Hajj pilgrimage

BBC - Tuesday, 24 November 2009

More than two million Muslims are braving the threat from swine flu to make this year's Hajj pilgrimage.

Concerns about the spread of the virus swine flu are dominating the religious event.

So far, the Saudi authorities have confirmed more than 60 cases of swine flu, but the Kingdom says it is confident that there will not be an outbreak of the infection as people converge on Mecca.

Shahzeb Jillani reports from nearby Jeddah. Watch the Video

Hajj guiding: an ancient family business

Telegraph.co.uk 23rd Nov, 2009

The Saudi government might manage the hajj, but the people who make it run for two million or more pilgrims are a handful of old Mecca families who monopolise the muttawif, or hajj guide, business. Read More

Shahid Malik first British Minister to take pilgrimage to Makkah

LONDON, Nov 21 (APP): The British Communities and Local Government Minister Shahid Malik is to become the first ever British Minister to perform Hajj, his office announced Saturday.Mr Malik became Britain’s first Muslim Government Minister in June 2007 when Prime Minister Gordon Brown took the historic decision to appoint him as International Development Minister. Read more

Advice to Pilgrims for the Prevention of Influenza during Hajj

Science 13 November 2009

The Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) urges pilgrims to take the following actions to protect themselves and other pilgrims from influenza. General:

For current information, visit the Web sites of the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health (www.moh.gov.sa), the Ministry of Hajj (www.hajinformation.com), the Centers for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov/flu), and the World Health Organization (www.who.int/topics/influenza). Read More

Saudi Arabia expects 2.5m hajj pilgrims this year

Arabian Business.com
Sunday, 08 November 2009

Some 2.5 million pilgrims are expected to visit Saudi Arabia for hajj, according to an action plan drawn up by officials.

A comprehensive plan covering all aspects of the holy journey has been put together to ensure the hajj runs smoothly, Al-Sheikh Salih Bin AbdulRahman Al-Hussein, the head of the Presidency of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, told Saudi Gazette. Read More

Saudi won't bar hajj pilgrims over swine flu fears

Associated Press
Sunday 8th Nov 2009

Saudi Arabian Health Minister Abdullah al-Rabeeah, right, is administered a swine flu vaccine during the launch of a swine flu vaccine campaign in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — The Saudi health minister said Saturday that the kingdom will not bar anyone considered high-risk for swine flu from performing the hajj pilgrimage this year, though he urged countries where pilgrims set out from to take precautions.

The hajj, required of all able-bodied Muslims at least once in their lifetime, has become a concern for world health officials because the density of pilgrims — with shoulder-to-shoulder contact as they pray — has raised fears of a massive spread of swine flu.

The pilgrimage attracts about 3 million people from 160 countries annually and begins this year on Nov. 25, as the winter flu season approaches in the Northern Hemisphere. Read more

health screening at jeddah airport

Friday 6th Novmber, 2009

Advisory note to All Pilgrims and tour operators.

The Saudi Health Auhtorities have introduced health screening of ALL pilgrims to Hajj this year. The Red Sea port of Jeddah is the gateway to the pilgrimage. At the Jeddah airport, there is a separate terminal just for pilgrims. Thousands are arriving every day.

At arrival, they will be sent immediately through a heat sensor that screens them for a fever. If they have a fever, they are kept at the hajj terminal until that fever disappears.

If they don't have a fever, Memish says, the pilgrims will be given packets with masks, hand sanitizer and information about H1N1. If they later contract symptoms during hajj, they'll be given anti-viral medications but won't be isolated.

UK HAJJ DELEGATION LAUNCHED ...
CBH MENTIONED

Wednesday 4th November, 2009
Asian Image

Foreign Secretary David Miliband helped launch this year's Hajj delegation in London.

At the event he spoke of how the role of British Muslims in various fields of British life cannot be overlooked. He spoke of the diversity within the Muslim communities living in the UK and said though they may have come from different Muslim backgrounds, yet they are united by bonds of brotherhood and tolerance and mutual respect as enshrined in the Islamic teachings.

The Council of British Hajjis was among those at the launch. Read more

Medina to go green

Tuesday 3rd November, 2009
Telegraph.co.uk

Speaking at the Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC) conference at Windsor Castle, Sheikh Ali Gomaa, said Islam teaches its followers to protect the Earth.

He announced the plans for Medina as part of a seven year plan to make the faith more environmentally friendly by teaching about climate change in Islamic schools, using renewable energy in mosques and encouraging green habits in places of pilgrimage. Read more

using gps at hajj

Monday 2nd November, 2009

With more than 20 million Muslims coming from all over the world , Hajj is among the largest congregation of people anywhere in the world .

During all this hustle and bustle it’s easy to lost your way even miss your apartment complex in Azzizia or your tent at Mina and if you are taking Aarafat to Mazdalfa Journey on foot GPS is there to help you . Read more

Hajj pilgrims may be told to take swine flu vaccine

Friday, 30 October 2009
Updated: Monday 2nd November, 2009

British Muslims may be required to provide flu vaccination certificates if they want to participate in the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca at the end of November, Saudi Arabia has warned.

The pilgrimage, the largest and densest international gathering in the world, presents unique hazards for the spread of the swine flu virus. The H1N1 vaccine is the best method of limiting its transmission, said Ziad Memish, assistant deputy minister for preventative medicine in Saudi Arabia. Read the article and the CBH response...

Update 2/11/09 - Official responce from the Ministry of Hajj - Swine flu vaccination is NOT a mandatory requirement for UK pilgrims to the Hajj .. Read More

Foreign Secretary launchES the 10th British Hajj Delegation

United Kingdom
Tuesday 28th October, 2009

The Council of British Hajjis were amongst a selected guest lists of foreign ambassadors and dignitaries invited by the Foreign Secretary Rt Hon David Miliband MP at the launch of the 10th British Hajj Delegation to the Hajj in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Every year the Foreign Office sends a delegation to provide medical and consular support to British national performing the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Read more...

the cbh live on sky channel 826 - iqra tv

Satruday 24th October, 2009

the CBH were interviewed LIVE on Iqra TV Sky Channel 826 on Saturday 24th Oct 2009
video upload to follow.

ksa - ministry of hajj picks up on the success of the cbh hajj vaccination clinic 2009

Kingdon of Saudi Arabia - Ministry of Hajj Website
Monday 19th October, 2009

In a concerted campaign, a number of British Muslim and health organisations have given many Britons hoping to perform Hajj the benefit of advice and flu innoculations

http://www.hajinformation.com/main/y2685.htm

Hundreds of british pilgrims jabbed up for hajj

United Kingdom - Monday 12th October, 2009

Hundreds of would be Hajjis (Pilgrims) turned up to the country’s first Health & Safety at Hajj Seminar and Hajj clinic hosted by the Council of British Hajjis (the CBH) in association with the Bolton Council of Mosques and NHS Bolton. Read more

Listen to the Programme recorded live on Sunday 11th October, 2009 - download here

cbh makes noise on the airwaves

7th October, 2009

The CBH have been invited onto AWAZ 103.1FM - Pendle Community Radio to offer tips and advice on Hajj every Wednesday's until Eid-ul-Adha between 3pm and 4pm.

Listen live

8/10/09 - A day after the Council of British Hajjis went on air, a shocking revelation by a tour operator who break silence on the Hajj visas Read more

11/10/09 - BBC GMR interviews the Council of British Hajjis on the success of the Bolton Hajj seminar.

3/11/09 - Radio Hajj @ Radio Reality - Interview and phone in question and answer of CBH Director on issues of hajj tour operators, health and the British Hajj Delegation

No flu certificate - no Hajj

Thursday 1st October 2009

Pilgrims planning to travel for the annual Hajj, will need to produce a valid flu certificate.

The Council of British Hajjis (Pilgrims) a national charity have launched a Pre‐travel health and safety awareness campaign which has seen 250 plus tour operators across the country briefed on the coming Hajj season and a series of Pilgrim Hajj awareness seminars organised to drive home the message of health and safety at Hajj. Read More..

Important & Urgent - Health requirements for hajj season 1430ah

Important & Urgent - Health requirements which must be complied with by incoming travellers for Umrah and Hajj during the season of 1430 Hijri`

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Additional New Health Requirements must be provided by the Hajj pilgrimages during the season of 1430 Hijri

Incoming travellers for Hajj from all countries must provide a valid certificate of vaccination against seasonal flu before acquiring a Hajj Visa. This certificate should be at least two weeks old. This recommendation cancels clause 4 of the health requirements that have been attached as a Ministry Circular mentioned above..
click here to read more on the Saudi Embassy website

Saudi calls for pilgrims to be vacinated

Maktoob Health - Sep 01, 2009

Saudi’s interior minister has called on countries to vaccinate pilgrims against swine flu before they arrive in the kingdom to mitigate the possibility of an outbreak during the upcoming Haj season, local daily Arab News reported on Tuesday. Click Here to read more...

Flu shots now mandatory for Haj pilgrims

Arab News - Thursday 6 August 2009 (14 Sha`ban 1430)
RIYADH: Restricting Haj pilgrims to those between the ages of 12 and 65 will soon be a definite condition for the forthcoming Haj season, Health Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah said in a statement on Wednesday. Al-Rabeeah said the proposal had been sent to the Cabinet for formal approval and would be forwarded to Saudi missions for action concerning the issuance of Haj visas. Click Here to read more...

British Pilgrims Warned of Swine Flu: hajj & umrah 2009

United Kingdom: 25th July, 2009

The Council of British Hajis has issued a health warning to British Pilgrims to Saudi Arabia and general overseas travellers to exercise extra cautions over the recent pandemic of Swine Flu ahead of the Hajj and Umrah season.
Peak numbers make the Umrah pilgrimage (lesser pilgrim) over the summer holidays and during the holy month of Ramadan, which this year is due to begin in late August. Click Here to read more

Hajj pilgrims pray at Mount Arafat - Click to watch the BBC news
Sunday 7th December, 2008

Tolerance and solidarity – II
16/6/2008 - SG
ISLAM recognizes the rights of the non-Muslim minorities, in a positive and emphatic form, laying down injunctions, justly and equitably, to deal with varied situations. It is a governing obligation to dispense absolute and perfect justice to all ...Read More

Relics found during Haram expansion work
10/06/2008 - SG
MAKKAH – A treasure of ancient relics was recently unearthed during the ongoing excavation work in the northern part of Grand Mosque. The relics included a package of architectural materials of great archaeological value. In addition several cop ...Read More

SR700m for expropriated land near Grand Mosque
09/06/2008 - SG
MAKKAH – SR700 million will be given in compensation to 740 owners of properties expropriated for constructing three pedestrian tunnels and a power generating station around the Grand Mosque in Makkah. This was announced by Mayor of Makkah Osama ...Read More

17th June, 2008 > > > Archive Links to Saudi Gazette may not work as their website has been upgraded, reference to stories will be kept so that you can perform a search on their website < < <

Haj Operation Huge Success: Prince Naif
Arab News - Sunday 23 December 2007 (14 Dhul Hijjah 1428)

Haj a Huge Success
Saudi Gazette - Sunday 23 December 2007 (14 Dhul Hijjah 1428)

Erring Tawafa Establishments to be Fined – Emir
Saudi Gazette - Sunday 23 December 2007 (14 Dhul Hijjah 1428)

5,000 workers, 1,000 Vehicles to Clean Mina
Saudi Gazette - Sunday 23 December 2007 (14 Dhul Hijjah 1428)

Cloakrooms in Holy Sites Turn Out a Big Hit
Arab News - Saturday 22 December 2007 (13 Dhul Hijjah 1428)

Pilgrims Leave Mina
Saudi Gazette - Saturday 22 December 2007 (13 Dhul Hijjah 1428)

Tawafa Services: Complaints Mount
Arab News - Saturday 22 December 2007 (13 Dhul Hijjah 1428)

All Smiles as Haj Ends Safely
Arab News - Saturday 22 December 2007 (13 Dhul Hijjah 1428)

Respect Common Religious Values: King
Saudi Gazette - Friday 21 December 2007 (12 Dhul Hijjah 1428)

Pilgrims Still Smoke Despite Warning Signs
Saudi Gazette - Friday 21 December 2007 (12 Dhul Hijjah 1428)

Haj Barbers Pose Risk of STIs: Shaving-Transmitted Infections
Saudi Gazette - Friday 21 December 2007 (12 Dhul Hijjah 1428)

Saudi Arabia announces Hajj season success
Kuwait News Agency - - December 21, 2007

Wi-Fi in Mecca for Hajj
Wi-Fi Planet - December 21, 2007

Last day of the Hajj in Pictures
BBC - Thursday, 20 December 2007

Peaceful End to Day of Three Rituals
Saudi Gazette - Thursday, 20 December 2007

London Doctors Help at Hajj

BBC - 20 Dec 2007

Comfort, Security of Pilgrims More Important Than ours – King Abdullah
Saudi Gazette - Thursday, 20 December 2007

Haj Unites Muslims: Abdullah
Arab News - Thursday 20 December 2007 (11 Dhul Hijjah 1428)

No Space? There’s Always the Roof
Arab News - Thursday 20 December 2007 (11 Dhul Hijjah 1428)

Crowd Control at Jamrat Still a Daunting Task
Arab News - Thursday 20 December 2007 (11 Dhul Hijjah 1428)

Pilgrims Supplicate in Arafat
Arab News - Wednesday 19 December 2007 (10 Dhul Hijjah 1428)

Prayers of Unity in Arafat
Saudi Gazette - Wednesday, 19 December 2007

Jamrat Expansion Awes Many Pilgrims
Saudi Gazette - Wednesday, 19 December 2007

Haj Unites Political Hacks
Saudi Gazette - Wednesday, 19 December 2007

Mina Looks Deserted on Arafat Day
Arab News - Wednesday 19 December 2007 (10 Dhul Hijjah 1428)

It’s a Sea of Humanity at Mina
Arab News -Tuesday 18 December 2007 (09 Dhul Hijjah 1428)

Crowds gather at the Hajj
BBC - 18 Dec 2007

Over 3 Million Pilgrims to Stand on Arafat
Saudi Gazette - Tuesday 18 December 2007 (09 Dhul Hijjah 1428)

Pilgrims Advised to take Careful Medical Precautions
Saudi Gazette - Tuesday 18 December 2007 (09 Dhul Hijjah 1428)

Haj Reflections: Is It a Bridge or Is It a Complex?
Arab News -Tuesday 18 December 2007 (09 Dhul Hijjah 1428)

All Roads Lead to Mina
Saudi Gazette - Monday 17 December 2007 (08 Dhul Hijjah 1428)

Thousands Throng Tent City of Mina
Arab News - Monday 17 December 2007 (08 Dhul Hijjah 1428)

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Please note: The CBH does not endorse any third party, foreign embassies, political parties etc. All information provided is for the benefit of the Pilgrims only. As such we cannot be held responsible for any adverse affects on the reliance of the informatioon supplied on our website or that on any external links. This is strictly a Fisabillah service. Please kindly report any errors therin.

This website contains links to other websites which are not under the control of and are not maintained by the CBH. The CBH is not responsible for the content of these sites and does not necessarily endorse the material on them.

upcoming events & media broadcasts

The CBH have been invited onto Radio Hajj 107.8 FM - NW London on the Night time show 'Hajj and the British Muslim Experience' on Tues 3rd Nov 2009.
Listen online

Online Podcast with Riazat Butt Friday 6th Nov 2009