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H1N1 Flu: Haj Missions in Saudi Alert Their Govts
9 July 2009
JEDDAH ? While Haj missions in Jeddah have sent the recommendations of the workshop on H1N1 that was held here last week to their governments back home, informed sources in the Haj and Umrah business see a possible decline in pilgrims coming for the forthcoming Haj.
The workshop recommendations include requesting the elderly, people with chronic illnesses, children, and pregnant women to postpone their plans for the pilgrimage for their own safety.
Dr Bakr Bin Hamza Khoshaim, member of the Shoura Council, told Khaleej Times by telephone from Riyadh on Wednesday that it is a good step taken by the ministry of health by international consensus.
He added that the recommendations are a collective opinion of all the experts participating in the workshop.
Khoshaim said that chances of being affected may be low but can be dangerous. It will be wise on the part of the pilgrims not to take any risk.
He said that according to medical history, when affected by swine flu the young and the elderly have less chance to recover.
He said that the recommendations are not and cannot be binding but people should take care about their health and welfare.
Dharmakirti, information consul at the Indonesian consulate general in Jeddah said that the recommendations of the workshop have been sent to Jakarta, but so far the government has not reached any decision on the matter.
He said that Haj preparations are in full swing, and as far as accommodation is concerned, 80 per cent of the work has been completed.
It is very likely that the mix of Hajis will be as usual.
As of now Indonesia is not stopping any Hajis, but is educating them and preparing them with necessary vaccinations and awareness of what steps to take while on Haj.
Pakistan is also awaiting word from Islamabad on the matter.
BS Mubarak, consul (Haj/ Press and information), consulate general of India in Jeddah, said the crux of the issue is that nobody is stopping any pilgrims.
He said that the consulate general has sent the recommendations to the ministry of external affairs and the Central Haj Committee for wide publicity requesting that precautionary steps should be taken by the pilgrims, who should be made aware of all aspects of the flu.
Mubarak said that extra care will be taken of those who are vulnerable to the disease.
He added that India is looking at the possibility of medicine for the pilgrims and Indian pharmaceutical companies have shown interest in developing it as soon as possible, may be by the forthcoming Haj.
He said that as of now, nobody is being stopped, and even if there are those who drop out voluntarily, the number of pilgrims will not decrease because 400,000 have applied for 115,000 available seats, and their place will be taken up by those on the waiting list.
He said that as for Haj preparation, major part of which is accommodation arrangement, 75 per cent is competed in Makah and 100 per cent in Madinah.
Fayyaz H. Siddiqui, Chief Operating Officer, Hajeej, said that looking at the trend of purchase and sale of accommodation, rooms, and bookings as of now, the number of Hajis may go down by 20 per cent to 25 per cent.
Siddiqui said that usually at this time of the year, seats are almost fully booked on airlines, but so far Haj seats are available.
He added that as for Umrah, the business has already begun to slow down by 40 per cent to 45 per cent.
Umrah pilgrim traffic from Egypt has declined by 75 per cent, from Pakistan by 50 per cent, and Tunisia 100 per cent.
It was learnt that in Malaysia, the Haj authorities are in the process of taking a decision on the matter as Tabung Haji, the organisation responsible for making Haj arrangements, has already been made aware of the workshop?s recommendations.
habib@khaleejtimes.com
REGION
Khaleej Times Online >> News >> REGION
H1N1 Flu: Haj Missions in Saudi Alert Their Govts
9 July 2009
JEDDAH ? While Haj missions in Jeddah have sent the recommendations of the workshop on H1N1 that was held here last week to their governments back home, informed sources in the Haj and Umrah business see a possible decline in pilgrims coming for the forthcoming Haj.
The workshop recommendations include requesting the elderly, people with chronic illnesses, children, and pregnant women to postpone their plans for the pilgrimage for their own safety.
Dr Bakr Bin Hamza Khoshaim, member of the Shoura Council, told Khaleej Times by telephone from Riyadh on Wednesday that it is a good step taken by the ministry of health by international consensus.
He added that the recommendations are a collective opinion of all the experts participating in the workshop.
Khoshaim said that chances of being affected may be low but can be dangerous. It will be wise on the part of the pilgrims not to take any risk.
He said that according to medical history, when affected by swine flu the young and the elderly have less chance to recover.
He said that the recommendations are not and cannot be binding but people should take care about their health and welfare.
Dharmakirti, information consul at the Indonesian consulate general in Jeddah said that the recommendations of the workshop have been sent to Jakarta, but so far the government has not reached any decision on the matter.
He said that Haj preparations are in full swing, and as far as accommodation is concerned, 80 per cent of the work has been completed.
It is very likely that the mix of Hajis will be as usual.
As of now Indonesia is not stopping any Hajis, but is educating them and preparing them with necessary vaccinations and awareness of what steps to take while on Haj.
Pakistan is also awaiting word from Islamabad on the matter.
BS Mubarak, consul (Haj/ Press and information), consulate general of India in Jeddah, said the crux of the issue is that nobody is stopping any pilgrims.
He said that the consulate general has sent the recommendations to the ministry of external affairs and the Central Haj Committee for wide publicity requesting that precautionary steps should be taken by the pilgrims, who should be made aware of all aspects of the flu.
Mubarak said that extra care will be taken of those who are vulnerable to the disease.
He added that India is looking at the possibility of medicine for the pilgrims and Indian pharmaceutical companies have shown interest in developing it as soon as possible, may be by the forthcoming Haj.
He said that as of now, nobody is being stopped, and even if there are those who drop out voluntarily, the number of pilgrims will not decrease because 400,000 have applied for 115,000 available seats, and their place will be taken up by those on the waiting list.
He said that as for Haj preparation, major part of which is accommodation arrangement, 75 per cent is competed in Makah and 100 per cent in Madinah.
Fayyaz H. Siddiqui, Chief Operating Officer, Hajeej, said that looking at the trend of purchase and sale of accommodation, rooms, and bookings as of now, the number of Hajis may go down by 20 per cent to 25 per cent.
Siddiqui said that usually at this time of the year, seats are almost fully booked on airlines, but so far Haj seats are available.
He added that as for Umrah, the business has already begun to slow down by 40 per cent to 45 per cent.
Umrah pilgrim traffic from Egypt has declined by 75 per cent, from Pakistan by 50 per cent, and Tunisia 100 per cent.
It was learnt that in Malaysia, the Haj authorities are in the process of taking a decision on the matter as Tabung Haji, the organisation responsible for making Haj arrangements, has already been made aware of the workshop?s recommendations.
habib@khaleejtimes.com