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The Foreign and Commonwealth Office understands how deeply important the Hajj is to the British Muslim community and once again we are sending a Hajj Consular Delegation. Saudi Arabia provides excellent facilities and services to all pilgrims and I would like to thank Saudi Arabia for everything it does for British Pilgrims on Hajj.

We are absolutely committed to providing appropriate Consular services to British Pilgrims during Hajj through having consular officers on the ground in Makkah and Jeddah. Last year we provided a wide range of consular support, including replacing emergency travel documentation and supporting British pilgrims who required urgent medical assistance.

Effective preparation by pilgrims – such as ensuring they have appropriate travel insurance and carry copies of their passports and other important documentation – is key to ensuring a safe and trouble-free Hajj. I hope that all those undertaking Hajj this year will have a peaceful, successful and rewarding pilgrimage.

• Providing emergency travel documentation to replace lost or stolen passports;
• Support to hospitalised pilgrims;
• Making the necessary logistical and bureaucratic arrangements for bereaved families in the event of a death; and
• Giving British pilgrims who were the victims of unscrupulous tour operators advice on how to file complaints and assisting in referring these cases to the Ministry of Hajj.