JEDDAH: Former MTV Europe presenter Kristiane Backer has praised the Kingdom’s monumental efforts to safeguard pilgrims as they perform Hajj rituals.
During her pilgrimage to perform Hajj rituals this season, Backer said she was impressed by the ability of the Kingdom accommodates more than two million pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
Cover image of Kristiane Backer's famous book
She praised the efforts exerted by its leadership to allow the pilgrims perform Hajj rituals with ease and in safety, most notably the security and medical services provided, in addition to the logistical operation involved in transporting pilgrims between the holy sites.
Backer performed Umrah in 2001 when she visited Madinah and performed Hajj rituals in 2006, after which she wrote her famous book “From MTV to Makkah: How Islam Inspired My Life.”
Her book describes her spiritual journey to Islam, which began with a meeting with Imran Khan, the retired cricketer who has just become the new Prime Minister of Pakistan.
In her interview with SPA, she spoke of improvements carried out in KSA between her visit in 2006 and now, noting the improved services offered to the pilgrims.
She said that when she saw the Kaaba after 12 years, she was so impressed that she was unable to speak.
Backer now works as a fine art consultant and is based in London.
