02 October 2008
President Yahya Jammeh arrived back in Banjul on Sunday after completing a five-day religious journey to the Holy Land of Mecca to perform this year’s Umrah.
President Jammeh was accompanied on the trip by the First Lady, Madam Zeinab Yahya Jammeh, their two children and religious leaders. The trip was a personal pilgrimage not an official engagement although Dr Jammeh did meet with the Governor of Jeddah, the Gambian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a number of Gambians living in the Kingdom.
Umrah is not compulsory for Muslims as the Hajj is; it is sometimes called the “minor pilgrimage” or “lesser pilgrimage” and is highly recommended for able Muslims to complete. Pilgrims must complete a series of rituals symbolising the life of the prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) and his wife Hagar (Hajarah) including the tawaf (circling the Kaaba seven times in an anti-clockwise direction); a sa’i (walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marway); and a halq or taqsir (cutting of hair).
Press Office Contact Details
Jenny Adams - PR Manager (National Press)
Louise Thomas - PR & Marketing Executive (Regional & Trade Press)
0845 330 2077
press@serenity.co.uk
Serenity Holidays is a trade name of Serenity Holidays, a fully bonded operator under ATOL 1866 and a member of ABTA, IATA and AITO.
