Scots couple among six dead in minibus crash in Saudi Arabia on Mecca pilgrimage

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Six britons have died in minibus crash in Saudi Arabia while returning from a pilgrimage to Mecca

Mohammad and Talat Aslam, from the Newlands area of Glasgow, were among six Britons who died in the incident near Medina on Wednesday.

A family of four from Manchester, including a newborn baby, were also among those killed when the bus, carrying 12 people, crashed.

Mr and Mrs Aslam, who had five children, were named in a statement from Glasgow Central Mosque today.

It explained the group had just completed Umrah, a pilgrimage to Mecca, when the accident occurred. It said: "Mr Mohammad Aslam and Mrs Talat Aslam of Glasgow, the parents of Shehla, Saba, Omar, Osman and Haroon, have returned to the mercy of Allah.

We pray Allah the Almighty grants the deceased a high rank in Paradise

Glasgow Central Mosque statement

"On Wednesday January 18 they had just completed Umrah and were travelling in a minibus to visit our beloved Prophet's Masjid in Madina. Tragically they were involved in a fatal accident.

"Four members of another family from Manchester were also killed in this tragedy."

In a Facebook post, the Mosque described Mr and Mrs Aslam as popular members of the community, saying: "We have every confidence in the Saudi authorities currently investigating the crash and in giving the dearly departed due dignity and decorum.

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Mohammad and Talat Aslam (pictured) from the Newlands area of Glasgow, were among six Britons killed

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Mr and Mrs Aslam, who had five children, were named in a statement from Glasgow Central Mosque

"Mr Mohammad Aslam and Mrs Talat Aslam were popular members of the community and are survived by their five children. We pray Allah the Almighty grants the deceased a high rank in Paradise and gives their loved ones strength and patience at this difficult time.

"We would kindly request the family be given space and time to grieve for their loved ones and to come to terms with their sudden loss."

Manchester-based Haji Tours, which organised the trip, named the youngest victim as Muhammad Adam Anis, who was just a few months old, and known as Adam. It also named the baby's grandparents among the dead, Khurshid Ahmed, 64, and Noshina Ahmed, 49, and family

member Rabia Ahmad, 57, who were all from Manchester.

A 63-year-old woman is in a critical condition, while the baby's mother and two children, aged two and four, are stable, the firm said.

A spokesman added: "We are sharing our sorrow with the family affected. We hope God forgives them and gives them the best place possible in paradise.. We share our grief with them and give them courage at this terrible time."

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A family of four from Manchester were also among those killed when the bus, carrying 12 crashed

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Umrah is a pilgrimage to Mecca by Muslims made at any time of the year

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We are supporting the families of six British people who have sadly died following a road accident in Saudi Arabia.

"We are also helping several more British nationals who were injured in the crash.

"Our thoughts are with the victims and their families at this very difficult time."

Umrah is a pilgrimage to Mecca by Muslims made at any time of the year, differing from the annual Hajj which takes place in the month of Dhul Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar.

The Hajj is seen as a mandatory religious duty that must be carried out at least once by adult Muslims who are physically and financially capable of undertaking the journey.

Last year it was held in September with more than one million Muslims travelling to Saudi Arabia.

Nearly 7,800 people died on Saudi Arabian roads in 2013, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Original Article