The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Hajj & Umrah hosted a parliamentary meeting and special screening of the documentary Human Tide at the Palace of Westminster on Wednesday, 1 July 2026.
The event brought together Members of the House of Commons and House of Lords, British pilgrims, Hajj and Umrah stakeholders, Hajj guides, community representatives, and the director, producers and cast of Human Tide.
Senior officials from the Royal Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also attended, including the Deputy Head of Mission, His Excellency Mr Bandar Al Sudairy.
The meeting provided an opportunity to reflect on the 2026 Hajj season, share feedback from pilgrims and sector representatives, and discuss key issues affecting British pilgrims, including travel fraud, public awareness, and preparations for the next Hajj season.
A highlight of the evening was the screening of Human Tide, a documentary capturing the emotion, spirituality and human stories of the Hajj pilgrimage. Following the screening, guests took part in a Q&A session with the film’s director, producers and cast, offering further insight into the production and its message.
The APPG welcomed the strong attendance and constructive engagement from parliamentarians, Embassy officials, pilgrims, community leaders and industry stakeholders.
The APPG also noted the launch of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme for UK citizens, which represents a further step in strengthening travel links between the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia.
The APPG on Hajj & Umrah remains committed to supporting British pilgrims, promoting best practice across the sector, and strengthening dialogue between Parliament, government, community organisations and Hajj and Umrah stakeholders ahead of Hajj 2027.
ENDS
Yasmin Qureshi MP speaking during the APPG on Hajj & Umrah meeting and Human Tide documentary screening at the Palace of Westminster, where parliamentarians, pilgrims and Hajj stakeholders discussed the outcomes of Hajj 2026 and preparations for future pilgrimage seasons.Kanza Azher participating in the APPG on Hajj & Umrah meeting at the Palace of Westminster, joining parliamentarians, pilgrims and Hajj & Umrah stakeholders for discussions on Hajj 2026, future improvements for British pilgrims, and the screening of Human Tide.L-R: David Ward (Director, Human Tide), Afzal Khan MP, Rashid Mogradia (Secretariat, CBHUK), Yasmin Qureshi MP (Co-Chair, APPG Hajj & Umrah), H.E. Bandar Al Sudairy, Deputy Head of Mission at the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Imran Hussain MP, Adnan Hussain MP. Parliamentarians, representatives from the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Hajj and Umrah stakeholders, guides and British pilgrims gather for the APPG on Hajj & Umrah meeting at the Palace of Westminster. The meeting provided a debrief on Hajj 2026, discussed priorities for future pilgrimage seasons, and was followed by a special screening of the documentary Human Tide.His Excellency Mr Bandar Al Sudairy, Deputy Head of Mission at the Royal Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in London, addresses delegates during the APPG on Hajj & Umrah meeting at the Palace of Westminster. The meeting brought together parliamentarians, British pilgrims, Hajj and Umrah stakeholders and community leaders to review Hajj 2026, discuss preparations for future pilgrimage seasons, and strengthen UK–Saudi collaboration in support of British pilgrims.Guests seated in a parliamentary committee room watch the documentary Human Tide during a special screening hosted by the APPG on Hajj & Umrah at the Palace of Westminster. The audience, comprising parliamentarians, British pilgrims, Hajj and Umrah stakeholders, guides and community representatives, is focused on a presentation screen at the front of the room. The historic chamber, with its high ceilings, wood panelling and large windows, provides the backdrop to the event.
Attendees are seated in a historic committee room at the Palace of Westminster watching the documentary Human Tide on a presentation screen. The audience, including parliamentarians, British pilgrims, Hajj and Umrah stakeholders, Hajj guides and community representatives, is focused on the film. APPG on Hajj & Umrah and CBHUK banners are displayed at the front of the room beneath a large historic painting, highlighting the formal parliamentary setting.
