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 the number of pilgrims coming to the Kingdom this year. The workshop recommendations included requesting the elderly, people with chronic illnesses, children, and pregnant women to postpone their pilgrimage plans for their own safety. The meeting of the Council of Ministers, chaired by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah on Monday, urged all countries to follow the experts' recommendations by raising the health awareness of Haj and Umrah pilgrims and making sure that they have been vaccinated before they come to the Kingdom. Dr. Bakr Bin Hamza Khoshaim, a member of the Shoura Council, told Saudi Gazette by telephone from Riyadh on Wednesday that the recommendations were the collective opinion of all of the experts participating in the H1N1 workshop. Khoshaim said that although the chances of contracting the swine flu virus may be low, it could be dangerous, and it would be wise for pilgrims not to take any risks. He said that there is medical evidence to suggest that it is more difficult for the young and the elderly to recover from the virus. He said that although the recommendations are not and cannot be binding, people should take care of 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 percent of the work has been completed. He added that it is very likely that the mix of Hajis will be as usual. As of now Indonesia is not stopping anyone from performing Haj, but it is educating pilgrims and preparing them with the necessary vaccinations and the awareness of what precautionary health measures to take while on Haj. B.S. Mubarak, Consul Haj, Press and Information, Consulate General of India in Jeddah, said that no one will stop pilgrims from performing Haj. He said that the consulate general has sent the recommendations of the health experts to the ministry of external affairs and the Central Haj Committee for wide circulation requesting that precautionary steps be taken by pilgrims, who should be made aware of all aspects of the flu. Mubarak said that extra care would 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 an interest in developing it as soon as possible, maybe by the forthcoming Haj. He said that as of now, nobody is being stopped from performing Haj, and even if some drop out voluntarily, the number of pilgrims will not decrease because 400,000 have applied for 115,000 available places, and those who drop out will be replaced by those on the waiting list. He said that as for Haj preparations, a major part of which is the arrangement of accommodation, 75 percent have been completed in Makkah and 100 percent in Madina. Mahdi Basadien, Consul General of South Africa, said that in terms of the H1N1 recommendations, South Africa will study them carefully in conjunction with the Saudi Ministry of Health and the WHO. Thafier Najjaar, president of the South African Haj and Umrah Council (SAHUC), said that as of now there has been no decline in the number of pilgrims coming from South Africa to perform Haj and Umrah. “We are educating pilgrims on preventive measures and stressing the need for vaccination before proceeding to the Kingdom for the pilgrimage,” he said, and added, “We will seriously follow any decisions taken by the Saudi and WHO authorities.” Fayyaz H. Siddiqui, Chief Operating Officer, Hajeej, said that taking into consideration the purchase and sale of accommodation, rooms, and bookings as of now, there may be a 20 to 25 percent decrease in the number of Hajis this year. Siddiqui said that at this time of the year, seats are almost always fully booked on airlines, but so far Haj seats are still available. He added that as for Umrah, the business is down by 40 to 45 percent. Umrah pilgrim traffic from Egypt has declined by 75 percent and from Pakistan by 50 percent. In Malaysia, the Haj authorities are in the process of taking a decision on the matter as Tabung Haji, the organization responsible for making Haj arrangements, has already been made aware of the health workshop's H1N1 recommendations. Nihal Shaji, sales manager, Al Balagaha Travels, said that going by the bookings for Ramadan, a downward trend is expected in Haj traffic. “People are wary of being in crowded places because of the H1N1 virus,” he said. Shaji said that hotels and five-star properties have had a 25 to 40 percent cancellation of bookings for Ramadan as against the huge demand for rooms for the Holy Month at this time last year. He added that investors who put a lot of money into booking rooms in advance are in a dilemma as to how to recover their funds. “Whereas last year hotels were overbooked at this time of the year, today rooms are available in plenty in Makkah,” he said. Egyptian Health Minister Hatem Al Gabali has reportedly raised concerns about the possible spread of swine flu, and said that the tens of thousands of Egyptians who perform the Haj risk being quarantined upon their return. His remarks have drawn mixed reactions from top clerics in the Muslim world. Some have said they support the idea of quarantine for returning pilgrims since the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared an influenza pandemic. Others, however, maintain that such a quarantine would represent a dereliction of Islamic duties unless sanctioned by religious authorities.
