Should Hajj 2009 be cancelled?

Published by You on 4 July, 2009 - 23:22
Yes it should be cancelled. Defo.
5% (4 votes)
Only if Swine flu becomes more virulant/lethal
10% (8 votes)
No
77% (62 votes)
Think of the Children!
9% (7 votes)
Total votes: 81
Submitted by You on 4 July, 2009 - 23:24

Should hajj 2009 be cancelled?

Swine flu is threatening to turn this year's hajj into a viral hot zone. Are fever-detecting cameras enough ensure pilgrims' safety?

Swine flu has hit the hajj and the Saudi health ministry is telling the unfit to stay away to avoid catching it, but performing the pilgrimage is an obligation for Muslims. What should they do?

Earlier this week Saudi health minister Abdullah al-Rabeeah called for the old, the infirm, the pregnant and the very young to stay away from the hajj in order to minimise their risk of being exposed to swine flu.

The announcement follows a prevention and precaution workshop in Jeddah ahead of a busy pilgrimage season, kicking off with Ramadan next month and then going full throttle in November with hajj...

Read more @ The Guardian's

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"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.

Submitted by You on 4 July, 2009 - 23:25

I think she/everyone is overreacting atm - Yes there is swine flu out there, but the best counter for such a thing is the blistering heat.

What's more, regular flu seems to be more deadly and kills half a million people a year, while swine flu so far has a handful of victims - mostly with the involvement of complications from other health issues.

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"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.

Submitted by Seraphim on 5 July, 2009 - 00:11

Nope, thats silly.

I dont think they'd EVER cancel hajj, and as far as im aware they never have (but iv not looked into it, so i could be wrong).

If i was dying id want to be there anyway.

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Back in BLACK

Submitted by Hajjar on 5 July, 2009 - 11:07

assalamu alaikum

They're not saying it should be canceled, they are advising "vulnerable" groups of ppl to stay away this year. It is good commonsense advice. The infirm, elderly, ppl with already existing health problems, children and pregnant women. This advice is applicable regardless of whether the illness is swine flew or something else. One of the conditions of pilgrimage is good physical and mental health isn't it?

All the fatalities from swine flew so far have targeted these vulnerable groups, rather than fit and healthy individuals. So it's wise advice isn't it?

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“O my people! Truly, this life of the world is nothing but a (quick passing) enjoyment, and verily, the hereafter that is the home that will remain forever.” [Ghafir : 39]

Submitted by You on 5 July, 2009 - 15:12

They're not saying it - the author of that article is suggesting it from her own accord.

All the fatalities from swine flew so far have targeted these vulnerable groups, rather than fit and healthy individuals. So it's wise advice isn't it?

Actually, we don't know. The couple of recent fatalities were with ill people, but originally it was suspected that most of the casualties were healthy people instead of people at the extremes.

And yes, if a person is ill, it is good advice to stay away (unless the person wants to do a hajj before death and that can be seen rapidly approaching, in which case, who knows.)

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"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.

Submitted by You on 10 August, 2009 - 22:42

Iran bans Mecca visits over flu

Iran has banned all pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan in an attempt to contain the spread of swine flu.

Health officials said no Iranians would remain in Saudi Arabia after 22 August.

Mecca is a popular destination for Muslims undergoing the spiritual experience of fasting during Ramadan.

Arab health ministers have already agreed to prevent vulnerable groups of people from joining the larger Hajj pilgrimage, taking place in November.

"We will have no pilgrims in Saudi Arabia during the month of Ramadan," Health Minister Mohammad Bagher Lankarani was quoted as saying by the Isna news agency...

Read more @

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"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.

Submitted by TPOS on 11 August, 2009 - 17:53

:shock:

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"How many people find fault in what they're reading and the fault is in their own understanding" Al Mutanabbi

Submitted by Hajjar on 11 August, 2009 - 22:28

there are are illnesses out there that are far more dangerous that swine flu, that are being overlooked because of this mania with swine flu epidemic. Yes we should be aware of swine flu, but not to such an extent that it clouds medical insight on other illnesses. in uk there have been a few cases of meningitis being overlooked by doctors locally and then in hospitals, because they have had this swine flu drummed into them. So much so they haven't bothered to look at the patient but dismissed them several times, leaving them to die.

Similarly Haj ministry, Iran and other countries may decide to ban nationals going for pilgrimage, but that does not mean other illnesses and diseases will not continue to spread. In any gathering illnesses are bound to spread, and one as enormous as the annual pilgrimage there will inevitably be ppl present with illnesses, it's pretty naive to think swine flu is the deadliest thing out there.

So i don't agree with Irans' policy it's not a blanket protection. So their citizens will be less likely to get swine flu in Haj, but will they ban ppl from uk or usa visiting their country or iranians visiting them?

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“O my people! Truly, this life of the world is nothing but a (quick passing) enjoyment, and verily, the hereafter that is the home that will remain forever.” [Ghafir : 39]

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