Simon Collis becomes first British ambassador to perform Haj

Published September 16, 2016
The 60-year-old Collis has been pictured wearing the white robes traditionally worn for the pilgrimage. —Photo courtesy Twitter
The 60-year-old Collis has been pictured wearing the white robes traditionally worn for the pilgrimage. —Photo courtesy Twitter

British ambassador to Saudi Arabia Simon Collis performed Haj earlier this week after converting to Islam, BBC reported on Thursday.

The 60-year-old Collis, who made the holy trip with his wife Huda Mujarkech, is the first UK ambassador to perform Haj.

He has been pictured wearing the white robes traditionally worn for the pilgrimage.

The photograph was posted on the twitter account of Saudi Arabian writer and female activist Fawziah Albakr, who wrote in Arabic: "First British ambassador to the Kingdom undertakes the Hajj following his conversion to Islam. Simon Collis with his wife Huda in Makkah. Praise be to Allah."

Among the Twitter users to offer congratulations Saudi Arabia's Princess Basmah bint Saud, who wrote: "Special congratulations to the ambassador and his wife."

Collis took to Twitter to thank well-wishers and revealed he had converted to Islam shortly before marrying his wife.

He wrote: "In short, I converted to Islam after spending 30 years in Muslim societies and before getting married to Huda."

The British diplomat has served as the ambassador to Saudi Arabia since 2015.

He has held several posts with the Foreign Office, including as ambassador to Iraq, Syria and Qatar.

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