Health
It is Hajji’s responsibility that an appropriate vaccination is been taken. The appropriate vaccination here in UK is quadrivalent miningococcal vaccine (ACWY), which protects against four different strains of meningitis (AC W135 and Y). If nay doubt please consult your GP (Family Doctor). Also one can consult the department of Health site for travellers:
Arrival and Departure at Jeddah’s Hajj Terminal
The Saudis Authorities take their responsibility very seriously and well being of every Hajji is very important to them. But large number of Hajjis arriving and leaving same time can daunting task. Therefore it is natural that delays occur when going through terminals. There are basic facilities at the Terminal. Please accept that delays can happen and prepare your self psychologically because by getting agitated will not help you anyway. Those travelling children and Elderly should take extra care. Please do show you’re your patience (Sabir) and comprehension.
On arrival at the terminal, the authorities will take your passport and give you a receipt. Please do not panic and trust the authority because this is the normal procedure and there is no other way around it. The pilgrim Guides Establishment will hold your passport while performing the Hajj and will return it to you on the departure.
Dual Nationals
The Saudi Authority does not recognise a dual nationality and may confiscate any additional passports, so please choose one passport for your entry in Saudi Arabia. Pilgrims travelling non British Passport are not entitled to assistance from the consulate General. British Nationals, who choose to travel non British Passports, and legal UK residents should ensure that all British visa or endorsements are clearly shown in that passport. Any documentation required to re-enter the United Kingdom should be obtained before leaving the UK, to prevent any delays or in worst case denial of UK re-entry.
Help and Assistance
The foreign and commonwealth office hope that you have trouble-free Hajj. If something does go wrong, the British Hajj delegation can provide you consular and basic medical help. The British delegation is team of Volunteers from British Muslim Community. They will be in Saudi Arabia throughout the Hajj to provide help and assistance to British Hajjis. The delegation includes a team of Doctors who will offer the initial treatment of illnesses. The delegation will be located the grand hotel Shubeika Hotel, Khalid bin Waleed Street, Makkah. Working with the British Consulate General in Jeddah, the delegation will provide you with a full range of Consular service.
What the delegation can offer you?
- To provide information on money transfer
- To provide contact details for local lawyers and hospitals
- To arrange for a next to kin to be told of an accident or a death and advice
- To offer initial advice and assistance
What the delegation cannot offer you?
- To become involved in any disagreement e.g. pilgrim and tour operator disputes, lost baggage disputes
- To rearrange travel bookings
- To get you out of prison
- To give you legal advice
- To intervene court cases
- To investigate crime.
The British Hajj Delgation 2007 is headed by Lord Patel of Balckburn. Here is his message for Somali British Hajjis:
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Lord Patel of Balckburn & Hashim Duale |
Travellers check list
- Check the Foreign & Commonwealth Office travel advice to make sure that you are up to date with the situation in Saudi Arabia at www.fco.gov/travel
- Check that you have the correct tickets and ticket details
- Make sure that you book your tickets through an Air Travel Organisers Licence registered tour operator to avoid unnecessary (there are many middle men involved make sure that they are proper agents). For more information please refer to www.atol.org.uk
- Have the contact details of your tour operator in UK and their representative in Makkah
- Get travel insurance for all aspects of your journey. There are Shariah complaint insurance policies available
- Check that you have had the required vaccination for your pilgrimage, and that you have vaccination card with you.
- Ensure that your passport is in good condition and the necessary visas are in place
- Make copies of you passport, insurance policy plus emergency numbers and ticket details. Leave these copies, your travel itinerary and correct contact details with family and friends.
- Make sure you have the contact details of the Hajj Delagation and Conular service.
British Hajj Delegation
Grand Shubeika, Hotel Grand Khalid bin Waleed Street Makkah, Tel: + 966 (0) 2 54 96 000 switchboard Fax: + 966 (0) 2 54 51 054 reception
British Consulate-General,
Jeddah Telephone: (02) 622 5550Fax: (02) 622 6249
Ministry of Hajj
Jeddah, Telephone: (02) 665 5811
Emergencies in Saudi Arabia
Ambulance, Telephone: 997, Police, Telephone: 999 Traffic Accidents, Telephone: 993
Airline Offices in Jeddah
BMI Tel: 02 - 668 9950 Lufthansa, Telephone: (02) 651 4000
Lufthansa, Telephone: (02) 651 4000KLM, Telephone: (02) 667 0888
Air France, Telephone: (02) 651 2000 Saudi Air (In Saudi only): 9200 22222
Phone Calls To call the UK from Saudi Arabia dial 0044 (North America 001, Italy 0039 Norway 0047 and so on; please keep handy before travel the country code of the interested country) only UK before the next number (If the next digit is '0', drop it and dial the next number) because some counties like Italy the 0 digit is to be kept. To call Saudi Arabia from the UK, one needs to dial 00 966 before the next number.
Labaik Allahumma Labbaik, Labbiak, laa shareeka laka, labbaik, Innal Hamda wa ni’mata , laka wal mullk laa shareeka lak. May Allah accept your hajj and reward you.
Hashim Duale
E-mail: [email protected]