Hajj reflects Islam's crossing of borders and cultures

Our readers have their say about the pilgrimage and the case of the deported Swedish mother

Muslim pilgrims walk around the Kaaba during Umrah. Amr Nabil / AP

Hajj reflects Islam’s crossing of borders and cultures

Our sincere prayers and wishes go to more than two million pilgrims from around the world for a safe and blissful journey, a successful Hajj and a safe return to their loved ones.

As the Association of British Hujjaj UK, we work toward the welfare and wellbeing of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. This week two million will be converging in the holy city of Makkah this week to perform their Hajj pilgrimage.

One of five pillars of Islam, this time is of great significance to Muslims. Millions from all over the world gather in Makkah to perform the same rituals at the same times, dressed similarly, while standing together as equals.

This makes Hajj a true reflection of the dignified principles of equality, modesty and human brotherhood that are at the heart of Islam.

The diversity of Muslim pilgrims at Hajj is a true reflection of Islam’s cross-borders and cross-cultural nature. Hajj gives Muslims from all nations, races and countries the opportunity to know each other better and to learn more about each other’s issues and concerns.

This experience emphasises the Islamic teachings of compassion, co-operation, tolerance and care for others.

We also extend our gratitude to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its efforts towards the welfare and wellbeing of the pilgrims and in ensuring that they perform their pilgrimage safely and peacefully with ease and comfort.

Khalid Pervez, Association of British Hujjaj UK

More to deported Swede’s story than at first appears

With reference to your article Deported Swede Ellie Holman concedes she made 'visa mistake' at airport (August 16), how can anyone have reported her original version of the story? Of course it wasn't anything to do with a glass of wine.

If people had troubled to read further into the report, they would have discovered that there was more to the arrest than that.

If the arrest was due to having consumed a glass of wine on the flight, there would have been a lot more people under arrest.

Tina Campbell, Spain

Aside from everything else, she was also working illegally by travelling regularly here to do Botox for clients.

Joanne Richardson, Dubai

My experience has always been that the immigration officers in Dubai are just the best. They once helped me out of a situation which was completely my fault and I did not even think that they would help. Anywhere else in the world, I would have been stuck in the airport while my husband had hold of certain documents.

Burcu Bt, Abu Dhabi

We lived in the UAE for two years. The security, immigration and customs officials were always kind and polite. Some were aloof but I put that down to professionalism, not nastiness.

Sandy Donald, Canada

I hate it when people try to make their bad behaviour the fault of the country.

Marion Bell, Dubai