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  • Dec 30th, 2005
  • Comments Off on 25,000 Muslims to perform Haj from UK
British Foreign Secretary Jack Starw said about 25,000 British Muslims would perform Haj next year, which was "spiritually, emotionally and physically demanding" experience.

He was speaking at launch of the annual 7th Haj delegation at the Islamic Center here on Tuesday. The Haj delegation comprising volunteers will be led by Lord Pate and is sent annually to provide medical and other necessary services to British pilgrims.

Jack Straw said British government would be running two separate clinics and waiting areas for male and female pilgrims to provide medical treatment free of charge to those who need it. He said a redesigned leaflet giving general advice and information for pilgrims had already been distributed to 280 mosques and to Islamic groups and doctors serving Muslim communities.

He said, one of the most important roles played by the British Foreign Office, was to provide consular services to British people overseas. For many people, it's the only contact that they have with the Foreign Office "so it's vital it was we get it right."

He said no other western country provided this kind of delegation. "Our record on integrating ethnic and religious minorities and just as importantly on respecting their different cultures and protecting their religious freedoms is second to none," said the Foreign Secretary.

All the Muslim communities in the UK, he said had pulled together to do everything they could to help the quake-victims in Pakistan.

And so did the wider British community, which has now donated a total of 45 million pounds through the Disaster Emergency Committee alone.

"The same goes for the government response. UK rescue teams were among the first foreign rescuers on the ground and the UK has now pledged a total of 128 million pounds for humanitarian assistance and long-term reconstruction. And we are continuing to do everything we can to help people who are now facing a bitter winter," he said.

Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2005


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