Adeel Malik
Simon Collis, a UK diplomat on duty to Saudi Arabia has become the first British Ambassador to perform the Hajj this year.
Collis was appointed ambassador to Saudi Arabia in January 2015 and has recently converted to Islam.
Pictures on twitter depict Collis and his wife, Huda Mujarkech garbed in the Ihram, the white traditional clothes donned by pilgrims during the five days of Hajj in Mina.
The Ambassador thanked Fawziah Albakr for the initial post to social media which reads, “the first British ambassador to the Kingdom performing Haj after converting to Islam: Simon Collis with his wife Huda in Makkah.”
After having joined the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1978, Collis subsequently served as British Ambassador to Iraq, Syria and Qatar. He was British Consul-General in Dubai and Basra. He also served in Tunis, New Delhi and Amman.
Simon even sent the following Eid Mubarak message via the British government:
On the occasion of Eid Al Adha, HMA Simon Collis and the staff at the British Embassy would like to send their best wishes to all Muslims in Saudi Arabia and worldwide.
Her Majesty’s Ambassador, Simon Collis said :
I would like to send my best wishes to the people of Saudi Arabia and all pilgrims on Hajj who are celebrating Eid al-Adha, marking the end of Hajj, the holy pilgrimage to Mecca.
I congratulate the millions of pilgrims on the successful passage of the Day of Arafat, including British pilgrims who are visiting Saudi Arabia on Hajj.
I wish all the pilgrims well for the remaining rituals over the coming few days. I commend the commitment of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Government of Saudi Arabia who continue to provide excellent services and support to ease the pilgrimage for the many millions who visit the Kingdom every year.
The message of Islam is one of peace to all regardless of their religion and we hope for stability, prosperity and security for all people across the globe.
Hajj and Eid Mubarak!
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