British ambassador to Saudi Arabia completes Hajj pilgrimage after converting to Islam

Simon Collis, the United Kingdom's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, has performed Hajj after recently converting to Islam.

A picture of Simon Collis in the traditional white robes worn by pilgrims during the hajj was posted on Twitter by Fawziah Albakr from King Saud University.

The 60-year-old diplomat, who speaks fluent Arabic, confirmed the news in response to messages on Twitter. Simon Collis with his wife Huda in Mecca.

"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).

Although it is not mandatory, pilgrims traditionally visit Medina to pray at Prophet Muhammad's Mosque, either before they begin the Hajj ritual or once they have completed it. The British ambassador to Saudi Arabia completed the Holy trip along with his Syrian wife Huda Mujarkech.

"Praised be God", he wrote on the social platform Twitter.

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

Muslims from across the world have made the journey to Islam's holiest site - Mecca, in Saudi Arabia - but one had less ground to cover than most.

She posted two photos of Ambassador Collis and his wife in which he was wearing ihram, the two pieces of unstitched cloth that male pilgrims wear for performing the pilgrimage.

Collins has been posted to Riyadh since 2015 after fleeing Syria where he was Britain's representative until the civil war there escalated in 2011/12.

The UK Foreign Office refused to comment on the news, saying the ambassador's religion was a personal matter.

As many as 1.8m people from all backgrounds and countries have descended on Mecca in the past few days, according to estimates.