Bishkek, September 05: The Kyrgyz Department of Sanitary and Epidemiological Monitoring is recommending that citizens not undertake the Hajj to Mecca this year due to the H1N1 flu pandemic. It issued the recommendation after Saudi authorities circulated new rules for undertaking a Hajj in 2009.
The main requirement is that pilgims have in their possession an Arabic-language document affirming that they have been vaccinated against seasonal flu or H1N1 at least two weeks before receiving an entry visa to the kingdom. If a person entering Saudi Arabia on a plane or bus is found to have flu symptoms, all the passengers in the vehicle will be refused entry.
Saudi authorities also recommended that national governments and Hajj organisers hold special informational campaigns for pilgrims on precautionary and preventative measures against the H1N1 virus.
In response, chief medical doctor Sabirzhan Abdukarimov said Kyrgystan is not in a position to handle vaccinations on its own. Therefore the Kyrgyz government is asking for cooperation from the Saudi authorities or a relaxation of the requirements for Hajj pilgrimages in 2009. The Kyrgyz Muslim Spiritual Council (KMSC) and government hope that the issue will be resolved before Hajj pilgrimages begin in October.
The alternative is that 4,500 Kyrgyz pilgrims risk the cancellation of their Hajj. Also, after fatalities among pilgrims during last year’s Hajj, Saudi authorities are advising against pilgrimmages by persons older than 65, those with chronic illnesses, children under 12 and pregnant women. Last year, eight elderly pilgrims from Kyrgyzstan died on the road to Mecca. Incidentally, according to the KMSC, 77 percent of pilgrims in 2008 were above middle age.
Last year’s Kyrgyz Hajj was nearly cancelled when several organisers raised the prices for transportation and lodging during the Hajj. The average price for the 2008 pilgrimage was $2,400 per person. That price included transportation, lodging, food and the cost of a special visa.
–Agencies–