The Ministry of Education has canceled students' trips to holy sites in Ramadan as a precaution against swine flu, according to a circular issued to all regional Directors of Education. Ramadan students' clubs and Qur'an memorization clubs had made preparations for students' trips to the holy sites by making early reservations for flights or bus seats. The swine flu death toll in the Kingdom rose to 23 Wednesday with the Ministry of Health reporting the deaths of four Saudis – three women and a man. The death rate from the AH1N1 virus in Saudi Arabia is less than the global rate of 0.66%, the ministry statement said. In July, Arab health ministers recommended banning pilgrims older than 65 and younger than 12 from going to Saudi Arabia on pilgrimage.
