British ambassador embraces Islam, performs Haj

September 15, 2016

Mina, Sep 15: Among the 19,000 British pilgrims performing Haj this year was British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Simon Paul Collis and his wife Huda Mujarkech.

simon1

It was known to some diplomats and journalists that he had embraced Islam but there had been no official word.

The confirmation came on last week in the form of a tweet from Saudi writer and academic Fawziah Al-Bakr (@fawziah1).

She posted two photos of Ambassador Collis and his wife in which he was wearing ihram.

The ambassador replied to the post by thanking Al-Bakr via his official Twitter handle (@HMASimonCollis). The ambassador’s wife (@HudaMCollis) retweeted Al-Bakr’s post.

collistweet

Though Collis refused media requests for interviews on Wednesday, he said: “I have converted to Islam after being in Muslim societies for 30 years, and right before getting married to Huda.”

Collis has served as British ambassador to Saudi Arabia since January last year when Sir John Jenkins retired from the diplomatic service. The photos went viral on Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram, sending social media into overdrive.

Among the first who congratulated the ambassador and his wife was Princess Basmah bint Saud (@PrincessBasmah).

“Special congratulations to the ambassador and his wife,” wrote Princess Basmah.

“Thank you, Princess Basmah,” replied the ambassador.

British pilgrims were pleasantly surprised by the news.

“I would like to congratulate the ambassador on the historic occasion of his completion of Haj,” said Rashid Mogradia, CEO of the Council of British Hajis (CBHUK). “He is one of many thousands of British pilgrims to perform the journey of faith and we look forward to him sharing his experience and inspiring us all,” Mogradia added.

At a time when there is so much adverse publicity against Islam and Muslims, especially in the West, the ambassador’s embrace of Islam was seen by the faithful as a vindication of the religion’s universal appeal.

Collis speaks fluent Arabic. He joined the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in 1978 and, after studying Arabic, has served mainly in the Arab world.

A father of five children, his first posting was to Bahrain as second secretary (1981-1984). He served as British ambassador to Iraq (2012-2014), Syria (2007-2012) and Qatar (2005-2007). He was the British consul-general in Dubai (2000-2004) and in Basra (2004-2005). He also served in New Delhi as first secretary from 1991 to 1994.

Comments

Mohammed SS
 - 
Sunday, 18 Sep 2016

Allah made Heven for Muslims who believe him and Hell for non believers.
Allah hu Akbar

Ahmed
 - 
Thursday, 15 Sep 2016

NON MUSLIMs should PONDER on WHY many people are REVERTInG to ISLAM...
QURAN has the answer to YOUR QUESTION... despite there is lot of hate propaganda in the controlled MEDIA....
QURAN speaks the reality of Such MEDIA and those who control the MEDIA ... PLease read the QURAN ..
U can also check thequranproject online... which is well explained for the Non muslims... & FOR non arab muslims.

Please look for the TRUTH and come out of DARKNESS... ALLAH guides those who search for God... honestly.

Shaima umar farooq
 - 
Thursday, 15 Sep 2016

Allahu Akbar. Congragulations for accepting islam. May allah guide u both to right path. Ameen.

May Allah accept ur haj.

Ameen yarabbal alameen....

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
January 10,2020

Dubai, Jan 10: Iran denied on Thursday that a Ukrainian airliner that crashed near Tehran had been hit by a missile, Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei said in a statement, according to state TV.

"All these reports are a psychological warfare against Iran. All those countries whose citizens were aboard the plane can send representatives and we urge Boeing to send its representative to join the process of investigating the black box".

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
June 30,2020

Dubai, June 30: The United Arab Emirates is all set to reopen mosques and other places of worship at 30 per cent capacity from July 1.

However, Friday prayers will remain suspended in the country, said Saif Al Dhaheri, Spokesperson for the National Crisis & Emergency Management Authority (NCEMA) during a virtual press briefing on Monday.

The official said certain mosques in industrial areas, labor residential areas, shopping malls and public parks will remain closed until further notice.

He said health authorities already conducted Covid-19 tests for Imams and workers serving at the mosque to ensure health and safety of the worshippers.

Al Dhaheri also spelt out guidelines that worship centres have to follow to welcome worshippers.

A distance of three metres should be observed between each worshippers and no handshakes are allowed. Worshippers will have to perform ablutions at home. People should bring their own personal copies of Holy Quran or read from digital copies. It is also mandatory for all worshippers to download and activate contract tracing app AlHosn.

"We urge the public to cooperate by following precautionary measures including social distancing. Children under 12 years old, the elderly as well as individuals with chronic diseases should avoid going to mosques," said the official.

The UAE first announced the suspension of public prayers in all places of worship on March 16, which was extended until further notice on April 9.

As Khaleej Times reported, places of worship had been preparing to reopen since the last few weeks by sanitizing parking lots and outdoor areas, entrances, main prayer halls and ablution areas.

The spokesperson also announced that the Private and commercial boat trips and water sports will be allowed to operate at reduced capacity of 50 per cent but by following precautionary measures.

The total number of recovered cases of Coronavirus (Covid-19) in the UAE has reached 37,076 with 665 cases recovered today after receiving treatment. Since the beginning of June, UAE has had a daily recovery average of 660 cases, said Dr. Amna Al Shamsi, Spokesperson for the UAE government.

Guidelines

1. Maintain a distance of 3 metres between worshippers.

2. No handshakes allowed.

3. Ablutions must be performed at home.

4. To read the Holy Quran, worshippers must bring their own copies.

5. All worshippers must download and activate contact tracing app AlHosn

6. People in vulnerable categories like those with chronic diseases and the elderly must not visit the mosques.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
April 22,2020

Dubai, Apr 22: Saudi Arabia's Health Ministry registered 1141 new Coronavirus cases, 172 new Recoveries and 5 new deaths in the last 24 hours by 22nd April 2020 (3:40 PM), Most of  the Corona infected patients are in stable condition, while 82 cases are on critical condition and are being treated in various hospital's Intensive Care Unit, All the confirmed and suspected cases are isolated and are being treated in the country, the Total Covid-19 cases as of Today are as follows
 
Infections : 12772
Recovered : 1812
Deaths : 114
Active Cases : 10846
Critical : 82

-  The Spokesperson of Ministry of Health said Total laborartory tests exceeded 200,000. 

-  You should continue to socialize and stay at home, especially for those aged 65 and over or who suffer from chronic diseases.

-  Half a million field assessments under active survey, 50 government agencies involved in anti-virus efforts, 150 field teams participating in the active examination in the Kingdom.

- The Health Ministry said, Maintaining hand-washing and keeping away from gatherings is an important step, and we should all be responsible.

- Worldwide Covid-19 infection details as of Today (22nd April) are

Infections : 2,580,729
Recovered : 693,093
Deaths : 178,371

- Among the 1141 new infections, most of the cases are on active survey results, 868 cases from new infections are discovered from active survey field testing. The city wise total active cases excluding recoveries and deaths by 22nd April are

Makkah : 2472
Madina : 1944
Riyadh : 1762
Jeddah : 1679
Dammam : 678
Hofuf : 507
Taif : 131
Tabuk : 128
Jubail : 97
Qatif : 73
Buraidah : 46
Khamis Musaith : 44
Khobar : 38
Dhahran : 36
Yanbu : 36
Khalis : 24
Ar Ar : 16
Khafji : 15
Ras Tanura : 12
Zulfi : 11
Onaiza : 9
Al Maqwat : 9
Al Dariya : 8
Al Kharj : 8
Samita : 8
Bisha : 7
Najran : 7
Al Khanfadah : 7
Hail : 6
Al Baha : 6
Sabit Alaya : 5
Muhayil Asir : 5
Ahad Rafidah : 4
Muwiya : 4
Ar Ras : 4
Al Qurayyat : 3
Al Muzilaf : 3
Sharura : 3
Al Jafar : 2
Al Lais : 2
Al Hanakiya : 2
AlMabraz : 2
Al Qawiya : 2
Al Tawal : 2
Al Misan : 2
Al Qariya : 2
Hada : 2
Rabig : 2
Sabia : 2
Saihat : 2
Azam : 1
Al Aiz : 1
Al Bakariya : 1
Al Dawadmi : 1
Al Majmaah : 1
Al Mada : 1
Al Shamli : 1
Al Ala : 1
Al Wajha : 1
Al Arida : 1
Beesh : 1
Diba : 1
Sakaka : 1
Sariban : 1
Sharura : 1
Riyad Al Khabra : 1

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.