Saudis prepare for 1.5 million hajj pilgrim influx

[Snowy Owl]

Saudis prepare for 1.5 million hajj pilgrim influx

4 hours ago


JEDDA, Saudi Arabia (AFP) ? Officials on Friday put final touches to preparations to try to ensure the safety of 1.5 million foreign pilgrims visiting Saudi Arabia for the annual Muslim hajj in Mecca.

A total of 11,000 doctors, nurses and paramedics will be on hand to provide medical care with 4,200 beds at 21 hospitals and 145 health centres in the holy sites of Mecca, Mina and Arafat, local media reported.

According to the official news agency SPA, 85 ambulances have also been mobilised for the occasion and health awareness and alerts will be issued in case of any epidemic outbreaks.

Al-Jazeera news reported that the health ministry in the desert kingdom had been spraying pesticides on pilgrims' tents and accommodation blocks to protect against mosquitoes.

The precautions and security measures are to try to prevent a repeat of the high death tolls that have often characterised past pilgrimages, such as that in 2006 when 364 people were killed in a stampede at the entrance of the Jamarat Bridge, where Muslims cast stones at a pillar representing Satan.

The stoning ritual has created some of the worst scenes of panic during the hajj, including that in 2004 when 251 pilgrims died, and in 1994 when 270 perished in a stampede.

Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz, who heads the hajj supreme committee, will inspect preparations on Saturday including the third phase of the construction of the Jamarat Bridge, SPA said.

The agency quoted the hajj central commission as saying that 1,467,515 people had by Wednesday already arrived in Saudi Arabia ahead of the celebrations which begin on Monday.

The annual pilgrimage, which attracts hundreds of thousands of Saudi faithful as well as foreign residents in the kingdom, begins on the eighth day of the month of Dhi al-Hajja under the lunar calendar.

The high point of the hajj, when pilgrims converge on Mount Arafat, will take place on Tuesday, and Eid al-Adha, the Muslim Feast of the Sacrifice marking the end of the pilgrimage, will be celebrated the next day.

All Muslims are required to make the hajj to Mecca, in western Saudi Arabia, at least once in their lifetime if they have the means to do so.

Pilgrims sacrifice an animal, usually a sheep, for Eid al-Adha as part of the rituals.

"Usually we get around 2 million sheep, goats and cows for the hajj season. The work is ongoing," Mohammad Jameel, an official in the storage terminal department at the Jedda Islamic Port, told AFP.

"The livestock is shipped from Somalia, Djibouti, Australia and New Zealand," he said, adding that the ships each carry around 120,000 sheep or goats.

Ashargh al-Awsat newspaper quoted Saudi Health Minister Dr. Hamad bin Abdullah al-Mane saying a case of bird flu (H5N1) had been detected at a chicken farm near Riyadh but added, "we have taken all the needed precautions."

Nearly 2.4 million people flocked to Saudi Arabia to perform the last hajj, including more than 1.6 million from outside the kingdom.

Sudanese Muslim pilgrims disemabrk from a ship at the Jeddah port
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Full coverage ?

[Niko]

Re: Saudis prepare for 1.5 million hajj pilgrim influx

Welcome to FT Saadi and thank you for that report!

[Theresa42]

Re: Saudis prepare for 1.5 million hajj pilgrim influx

Hajj pilgrims and bird flu (and other illnesses) -- reassurances from the Ministry of Health...

General / Chairman of the preparatory committees of Haj Ministry of Health / reassure
December 17, 2007 WAS

Assured Chairman of the preparatory committees of Haj Ministry of Health, Dr. Reza bin Mohammed Khalil pilgrims and citizens to places of pilgrimage safe and free from the avian influenza disease has taken all precautionary measures to prevent the transmission of the disease to birds within the whereabouts of the pilgrims and Mrohm where he participated both the Central Hajj Committee and the Ministry of Agriculture and the secretariats of the regions a comprehensive plan includes strict controls to prevent disease and protect the pilgrims from it.

Dr. Reza Khalil that there is complete coordination between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and the high level of hospitality disease prevention and avian influenza to areas pilgrimage indicating that the Ministry of Health play a role include health awareness among the citizens and residents and contacts of birds as the Ministry responded to queries from citizens and pilgrims on the telephone free to the Ministry.

Dr. Khalil explained in a press statement today that the ministry is keen to implement the requirements that must be met health to the pilgrims and commitment indicating that the ministry stresses the vaccinations given to the pilgrims some States not only medical teams outlets medical reports of some States, which sees the Health Ministry to Ttaimadtha enough so as to ensure the safety of the pilgrims, pointing out that the Ministry of Health focused on the vaccination against meningitis to all pilgrims also keen on vaccination against human influenza also requests from some countries vaccination against polio and others against Ebola fever, depending on the patterns of diseases which come upon pilgrims.

Dr. Khalil said that the ministry has prepared contingency plans to deal with crises in coordination with all relevant agencies such as the Saudi Red Crescent Society, civil defense and other government health sectors, indicating that the role of the ministry is the presence of medical teams and the rapid and effective supply of ambulances and medical teams field in addition to special emergency plans Carbuncles bridge and Mecca's Holy Shrine and the level of Arafat and the Mount of Mercy.

He explained that the ministry conducted numerous tests to confirm the hypothesis readiness variance homogeneity and pointing out specific plans for dealing with the floods and rain and congestion Paljmrat and collapses.

He said that the ministry used b / 80 / doctor and nurse Our focused in the areas of emergency and outside the Kingdom / Turkey, Pakistan, Malaysia / indicating that this does not mean lack of these numbers, but the ministry's desire not to withdraw such competency areas including impact on the work stressing that the ministry eager to the survival of distinctive service to citizens in all parts of the Kingdom.

Dr. Khalil pointed out that the ministry is in the development of each year working continuously through the rebuilding and expansion and the introduction of new sections for hospitals, indicating that last year saw the completion of a hospital emergency me to replace my General Hospital and this year saw the rebuilding and development of Mercy Hospital Mount Arafat, who opened Bmcar His Highness the Minister of the Interior HRH Prince Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee during his exploratory tour has also been expanding services enter the field of medicine / 20 / modern car to join the fleet Alasaavi ministry indicating that these vehicles can penetrate among the pilgrims during the escalation and during their stay in Hairy me.

http://www.spa.gov.sa/details.php?id=510331

[Treyfish]

Re: Saudis prepare for 1.5 million hajj pilgrim influx

<TABLE id=AutoNumber1 style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" borderColor=#111111 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width="100%">

Saudi Health Ministry: No contagious diseases among pilgrims

</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="100%"> </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="100%">2007-12-18 - KUNA</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="100%"> </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="100%">RIYADH, Dec 15 (KUNA) -- No contagious diseases among pilgrims performing Hajj have been reported until now, said the Saudi Health Ministry on Saturday. An announcement by the ministry revealed that about 54,499 went to hospitals and health centers in Mecca Friday, adding that large numbers of pilgrims benefited from the services within the pervious days. Meanwhile, Saudi Interior Minister Prince Naif bin Abdul-Aziz inspected earlier today several Hajj facilities to assess preparations for the great spiritual event. A sum of 1.7 million Saudi Riyals had been spent to integrate services. (end) ad.gta KUNA 171942 Dec 07NNNN http://www.fananews.com/look/english...10&NrSection=1</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[Theresa42]

Re: Saudis prepare for 1.5 million hajj pilgrim influx

What 1.5M pilgrims looks like:

[Vibrant62]

Re: Saudis prepare for 1.5 million hajj pilgrim influx

How many days does the Hajj go on for? Obviously all the way through the Eid festival, but when do the pilgrims start to disperse and return home?

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: Saudis prepare for 1.5 million hajj pilgrim influx

December 18, 2007 - December 21, 2007
Hajj (Annual Pilgrimage to Mecca)
The Hajj, or annual pilgrimage to Mecca, consists of several ceremonies meant to symbolize the essential concepts of the Islamic faith, such as submission, brotherhood, and unity, and to commemorate the trials of the Prophet Abraham and his family. Required once in a Muslim?s lifetime, over two million Muslims perform the pilgrimage annually.

December 20, 2007
Eid-ul-Adha (Festival of the Sacrifice)
Holiday occurring on the third day of the Hajj, lasting four days. It commemorates the Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son, who was replaced by a lamb.

------------------------------------------

I don't know how many days it takes for 1.5 million people to exit - i.e., the airport/airplane capacity.

.

[Shannon Bennett]

Re: Saudis prepare for 1.5 million hajj pilgrim influx

Does anyone know what kind of health tests if any are required prior to attending the Haj? This would appear to be prime breeding ground for tuberculosis, as well as any other emerging diseases.

[Theresa42]

Re: Saudis prepare for 1.5 million hajj pilgrim influx

How many days does the Hajj go on for? Obviously all the way through the Eid festival, but when do the pilgrims start to disperse and return home?

Everyone has to have left the country by January 24:

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=42309

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: Saudis prepare for 1.5 million hajj pilgrim influx

Does anyone know what kind of health tests if any are required prior to attending the Haj? This would appear to be prime breeding ground for tuberculosis, as well as any other emerging diseases.

below is an excerpt from: http://www.jamiat.org.za/hajj/Health...#Immunisations


IMMUNISATIONS

Yellow Fever Immunisation is recommended only for people traveling through Africa. South Africa is not regarded as a yellow fever endemic area. Therefore, South Africans traveling straight to Saudi Arabia need not take yellow fever immunization. However, some airlines travelling from South Africa to Saudi Arabia make an unscheduled stop in Central Africa, usually Nairobi. If this happens, then Yellow Fever Immunisation becomes necessary. Therefore, it would be advisable to take the Yellow Fever Immunisation. This vaccine lasts 10 years.<?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = O /><O:P> </O:P>
<O:P></O:P>
Menningo-coccal meningitis vaccine ( 4 strain ? A,C,W135,L- only) is also recommended and required by the Saudi authorities as this infection can be picked up from fellow travelers. This is compulsory for everyone above 2 years old. This vaccine lasts for 3 years.<O:P> </O:P>
<O:P></O:P>
Menningo-coccal meningitis can be carried by people who have been vaccinated. To prevent pilgrims from taking the germ home where it can infect other people, all pilgrims are required to take one dose of CIPROBAY 500mg before departure (GENERIC AVAILABLE). This can be obtained from a pharmacy. The tablets are purchased in packs of ten tablets.
<O:P></O:P>
Hepatitis A is an infection of the liver resulting in jaundice. It is transmitted via the faecal-oral route by infected food from infected food handlers. The incubation period is 2 to 3 weeks from the time of contact. It can be a serious illness. Hepatitis A vaccine can be taken at least two weeks before departure. Immunity derived from this vaccine can last up to two years. If a booster vaccine is taken after six months, the immunity to hepatitis A will last 10 years. This vaccine is optional.<O:P> </O:P>
<O:P></O:P>
It is recommended that the Influenza vaccine be taken by all pilgrims before departure for Hajj. Influenza spreads very fast in the crowded situations. This is most important for the elderly, and for people who have chronic illnesses like asthma, diabetes, etc.<O:P> </O:P>
<O:P></O:P>
Immunisations can have side effects. For this reason, it is better to take the injections well before departure. This will allow for good immunity to develop as well as for the injection site to heal.<O:P>
</O:P>
.

[Shannon Bennett]

Re: Saudis prepare for 1.5 million hajj pilgrim influx

Thank you Denise. What I didn't see was a visit to a doctor prior to departure. At least other than the vaccination for Menningo-coccal meningitis vaccine ( 4 strain – A,C,W135,L- only). I would assume nurses or pharmacists inoculate people?

I just read your link.....very interesting. The experience must be very uplifting. Lots of simple regulations, some I would not have thought of. But, there isn't a stipulation to see a doctor and get clearance before attending the Hajj.

[Theresa42]

Re: Saudis prepare for 1.5 million hajj pilgrim influx

Hajj pilgrims begin returning home tomorrow [Friday]. Egyptian pilgrims will have medical checks upon their return.

Google-translated from Arabic:

Tomorrow .. The start return flights for pilgrims
Injury 5 pilgrims Egyptians in a car crash .. 3 born to the needs of Egyptian
Dec 20, 2007

Mecca Fatima Ayyad: Begins at dawn tomorrow, Friday, the first Egyptian pilgrims return trips .. Cairo airport receives first flights EgyptAir coming from Jeddah, and later, following the return flights pilgrims. The pilgrims left yesterday, five Egyptians Hospital Taif in Saudi Arabia after the treatment of injuries suffered in a bus accident for pilgrims home since 3 days .. The pilgrims were on their way to the Taif Governorate injustice coming from Riyadh, and pilgrims who are Wael Saleh, and Mr. Motaz Mahmoud Taha, and Mohammed Abul-Fotouh, and Nasser Azzedine. An official source sector consular Foreign Ministry said that the pilgrims well and help to heal fully.

A need an Egyptian born in Mount Arafat launched by the name of Abdel Rahman, the number of births during the Hajj Egyptians to three. They need arrows Rahman had been fired by a baby name "Omar" -- A further need baby named Mohamed Said Mohamed Musaad.

He ended pilgrims House of God to steal Hajj siding with Arafat. Combine 4 million pilgrims from all around the globe encompass land and Mount Mercy performed after noon prayers and modernity rare mosque "wife".

The mission of the Ministry of Tourism headed by Osama El-Ashry, First Undersecretary of the Ministry of Tourism to pass on the whereabouts of Egyptian pilgrims camps to check on their health and making sure that companies have established controls tourism and service delivery.

The Dr. Ali Gomaa Mufti of the Republic dropped a number of lectures and the Bamamh pilgrims in noon prayers and the age and could develop closer pilgrims around the Arab and Islamic states and responded to many questions posed by the pilgrims on the Hajj, the pilgrims pray with him, and Apthluwa to God to accept them Rites.

Dr. Mustafa EL general supervisor of the Egyptian medical mission that all pilgrims are fine, and pointed to the conversion [recovery] of 13 cases sick in the first days of Arafat from Mecca to Arafat hospitals to perform Rites begins tomorrow at dawn Friday pilgrims return trips from the Holy Land after-Rites.

http://www.alwafd.org/v3/News/NewsDetail.php?id=1728&type=main&PHPSESSID=cbc94ff64f33af9dda5cab50209394e0