The British ambassador to Saudi Arabia Simon Collis has performed the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca after recently converting to Islam.

The diplomat made the holy trip with his wife Huda Mujarkech, which is a duty for all able-bodied Muslims to make at least once in their life. The 60-year-old is the first UK ambassador to perform Hajj.

Mr Collins's photograph in white robes traditionally worn for the pilgrimage was posted on the twitter account of Saudi Arabian writer and female activist Fawziah Albakr, who wrote that, "First British ambassador to the Kingdom undertakes the Hajj following his conversion to Islam. Simon Collis with his wife Huda in Mecca. Praise be to God."

Saudi Arabia's Princess Basmah bint Saud, said on twitter that, "Special congratulations to the ambassador and his wife."

Mr Collis, who served as the ambassador to Saudi Arabia since 2015 said that, "In short, I converted to Islam after spending 30 years in Muslim societies and before getting married to Huda."

He has previously served as Britain's ambassador to Bahrain, Iraq and Syria, where he was kicked out by President Bashar al-Assad in 2012 when diplomatic relations collapsed in the face of the growing Syrian civil war.

Mr Collis was also British consul-general in Dubai and Basra and has also served in Tunis, New Delhi and Amman.

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Nandini