Archive · 7 Aug 2026
Sadiq Khan says Hajj pilgrimage strengthened resolve to serve London
Sadiq Khan is the mayor of London, a huge city in England.
He went on a special religious journey called Hajj to the holy city of Mecca.
The trip made him feel humble because millions of pilgrims dressed the same way, reminding him that everyone is equal.
Instead of slowing him down, the journey made him want to keep helping people.
Khan says London is fairer, safer, greener and more prosperous than it was ten years ago.
Some people criticise him over crime and traffic rules, but he says crime is coming down.
He defended a rule called ULEZ that makes some polluting cars pay to drive in London.
He also praised the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, for having a great first two weeks.
Khan will decide next year whether to run for mayor a fourth time.
Sadiq Khan said completing the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca in May was a 'profoundly life-changing' experience that strengthened his commitment to public service.
He defended his decade as London mayor, insisting the city is 'fairer, safer, greener and more prosperous' despite criticism over crime.
Khan backed the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), saying the 'silent majority' supported it and no serious mayoral candidate campaigns to reverse it.
He praised Prime Minister Andy Burnham's first weeks in office as 'energetic' and called for greater devolution across England.
Khan said he will decide next year, after discussions with his family, whether to stand for a fourth term as mayor in 2028.
- Who
- Sir Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, in an interview with The Telegraph.
- What
- Khan discussed how his Hajj pilgrimage strengthened his commitment to public service, defended his ten-year record, addressed the Trafalgar Square iftar controversy, praised Prime Minister Andy Burnham, and said he will decide next year on a fourth term.
- When
- The interview took place around his decade in office; the Hajj pilgrimage was completed in May; a fourth-term decision is due next year for the 2028 mayoral election.
- Where
- London, England, and the city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, where the pilgrimage took place.
- Why
- To reflect on faith, family and public duty, and to respond to criticism over his record on crime and transport policies.
Khan / Administration view
Critics' view
Crime and safety in London
Khan / Administration view
Khan says London is safer than a decade ago, pointing to lower homicide rates and falling crime, and argues 'the substance is bringing crime down.'
Critics' view
Critics continue to criticise his record on crime; Khan acknowledges that public perceptions matter, saying 'perception is reality' and that people not feeling safe is a problem for him.
ULEZ expansion
Khan / Administration view
Khan defends the Ultra Low Emission Zone expansion as one of the best and most difficult decisions of his mayoralty, backed by the 'silent majority,' with no serious candidate now campaigning to reverse it.
Critics' view
The expansion was one of the most controversial policies of his mayoralty and has drawn criticism over transport costs.
Muslim events in Trafalgar Square
Khan / Administration view
Khan says he does not understand attempts to portray events like the open-air iftar as divisive, arguing such rhetoric risks making Muslims feel like 'second-class citizens' and could fuel radicalisation.
Critics' view
Critics have portrayed Muslim events such as the Trafalgar Square iftar as divisive.
- Person
- Sir Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London
- Pilgrimage
- Hajj to Mecca, completed in May
- Interview
- With The Telegraph newspaper
- Tenure
- A decade as London mayor
- Fourth term
- Decision next year; 2028 mayoral election
- Policies defended
- ULEZ expansion, falling crime, lower homicide rates
- National politics
- Praised PM Andy Burnham's first two weeks; called for more devolution