The British Muslim community is shocked and saddened about the recent media report regarding the culture which has developed amongst pilgrims to Makkah and Madinah that disregards the sanctity of the two holy sites of Islam.
It is extremely disturbing that a vast majority of pilgrims in the Haram-e-Ka'bah are busy with their cameras taking or posing for photographs, making videos and chatting over the mobile phones with their family and friends back home even during Tawaf-e-Ka'bah. They are showing total disrespect to the House of Allah and the prescribed holy pilgrimage and not concentrating on their prayers.
This nuisance is causing great discomfort and disturbance to other pilgrims. The most alarming aspect of this growing culture is that musical tones from mobile phones are heard frequently from the vicinity of the Ka'bah. Even during salah the sound of musical ringtones distracts the prayers. All in all, this has taken away the peace and serenity of the holy place and the essence of the pilgrimage.
The Association of British Hujjaj (pilgrims) UK (A.B.H), a National Hajj and Umrah specific organisation working for the welfare and wellbeing of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims appeals to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, Governor of Makkah Prince Khalid al Faisal and the Governor of Medina Prince Abdulaziz bin Majed to take appropriate action to protect the sanctity of Harmain Shareefain so that all pilgrims are able to perform their pilgrimage in peace and tranquillity..
ABH also strongly urges all the relevant governments and religious scholars worldwide to take this issue seriously and to make every effort to raise awareness amongst the pilgrims to ensure that they do not treat Al Haramain Shareefain as a tourist attraction site and refrain from the activities that violate the sanctity of the House of Allah.
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