Algeria to send Hajj pilgrims despite flu concerns

2009-07-14

Hajj pilgrims in Algeria are concerned about news of increasing swine flu cases in Saudi Arabia. The Algerian government is taking precautions to ensure pilgrims' safety.

By Fidet Mansour for Magharebia in Algiers – 14/07/09

[Fayez Nureldine/AFP/Getty Images] The Algerian health ministry is taking numerous precautions to keep Hajj pilgrims safe from infection on their journey.

Algerians planning to perform the Hajj or Omra this year will be able to travel to Saudi Arabia despite the spread of the H1N1 virus in the kingdom, Algerian authorities announced on Sunday (July 12tth).

"Every precaution has been taken to guarantee the best possible protection for pilgrims," Minister of Religious Affairs Bouabdellah Gholamallah said during a meeting with travel agents, adding that there was no "valid reason for Algeria to cancel the pilgrimage".

According to Gholamallah, the pilgrims will be vaccinated against the virus if an order of 65 million doses arrives by October. If not, they will be vaccinated against the seasonal flu.

The minister meanwhile asked travel agencies not to accept the elderly, people with serious illnesses, children or pregnant women.

Public concern mounted in Algeria after Saudi Arabia announced more than 100 swine flu cases in the kingdom, 90 of which were treated successfully.

"It's impossible to control the situation in a region which will host millions of pilgrims," said Wahid, 35. "I think it would be a wise precaution to forgo this year's pilgrimage. The risk is serious."

Mohamed believes the problem to be even more serious. He had planned to go to perform Omra during Ramadan. "With the pandemic spreading", he said, "it's not wise to travel anywhere outside the country. I don't understand why they're focussing only on the holy places."

About 36,000 Algerian pilgrims will participate in the Hajj in September. One measure taken by the government is to increase the number of medical staff travelling with pilgrims this year to handle emergencies, said Abdelkader Kenz, adviser to the Ministry of Health and chairman of the medical committee.

Public awareness campaigns have also appeared in mosques and religious centres, advising people on what precautions they should take once they are in Saudi Arabia. These precautions include avoiding congregating with pilgrims from countries "at risk" and avoiding dry ablution (tayammum).

For the first time, the health ministry will dispatch medical personnel to accompany pilgrims going to Omra this year, to help with any illnesses or suspicious cases. Pilgrims will also be given masks to wear while they are in Saudi Arabia.

"At the health ministry", said Said Barkat, Minister of Health, "we can provide an assessment of the development of the virus and warn pilgrims about any risks of contamination. That is where our responsibility ends."

Barakat said any cancellation or ban on Omra or Hajj would have to be issued by the religious authorities. Furthermore, the Algerian Islamic Supreme Council was not approached by the authorities to issue any such fatwa.

Meanwhile, the country is keeping to its quota of places for the Hajj, with no cancelations being reported.

"We have not seen any concern among those who have signed up," Nadir Belhadj-Mostefa, CEO of Numidia Travel Services and vice-chairman of the National Union of Travel Agents, told an Algerian newspaper. "Operations are running as smoothly as ever," he was quoted as saying.