Swine flu fears could delay Hajj

You —

The Muslim religious authorities in Egypt have suggested delaying the annual pilgrimage to Mecca because of the spread of swine flu.

Egypt's Grand Mufti, Sheikh Ali Jumua, has called for a religious edict to decide how long the pilgrimage rites of the Hajj could be postponed.

At least two million people took part in the last Hajj, which falls this year in November.

More than 7,500 cases of swine flu have been reported worldwide.

In an interview with BBC Arabic radio, Dr Ibrahim Negm, an advisor to the Grand Mufti, said Sheikh Ali Jumua supported a view already outlined by Mohammed Tantawi, the Grand Imam of the al-Azhar Mosque.

Pandemic alert

Mr Tantawi says that the pilgrimage rites could be postponed if the World Health Organisation declares a global pandemic, and raises its pandemic alert from five to the maximum six.

At that point, he says, Islamic researchers would meet to discuss a possible delay...

Read more @ BBC News

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Beast — Sat, 16 May 2009 - 00:27

The Egyptians have been over-reacting to the swine-flu. They culled all their pigs even when the World Health Org said that it would make no difference.

Besides there is nothng to suggest that an advisor to an Egyptian cleric has any sway with the Saudi religious authorities. Let alone him being able to influence the "postponement" of the Hajj. Never mind that the Hajj is 6 months away.

On top of that swine flu hasn't really taken hold in any Muslim country. Even in Mexico it is on the decline. Bird flu is much more dangerous and it is a major public health problem in Indonesia. But the bird flu hasn't resulted in any changes to the Hajj.

Given how many other potential risks there are to life and health on the Hajj, swine flu should be the least of people's worries.

I suspect a non-story.

You — Sat, 16 May 2009 - 17:18

[quote=wednesday]Aren't medical examinations compulsory before you travel abroad anyway?[/quote]

Nope - depends on the location, and even then all you need is the relevant jabs - which can be given months in advance.

You — Fri, 29 May 2009 - 17:58

its just old news now. Boring.

I hear that there are over 10,000 confirmed case worldwide.. but its not especially more deadly than normal flu, so it could be ok.