Flu virus scares off Haj pilgrims
Abu Dhabi/Dubai: Haj agencies have registered a steep drop in pilgrims going to Saudi Arabia for Umrah (or the lesser pilgrimage) because of the H1N1 scare. A religious authority in the UAE has also...
View ArticleEgypt mulls pilgrimage suspension after first swine flu death
Cairo: The first swine flu death in Egypt has again triggered questions whether this predominantly Muslim country should delay Haj (pilgrimage) trips to Saudi Arabia. The Ministry of Health on Sunday...
View ArticleH1N1 prompts hajj restrictions
Arab health officials have agreed to restrict certain groups from performing the annual Muslim pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia this year amid growing concerns about the H1N1 flu pandemic. Those considered...
View ArticleSaudi Arabia reports flu death as pilgrimage nears
RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia, which is gearing up to host hundreds of thousands of Muslim pilgrims later this year, announced its first death from H1N1 flu on Monday. The ministry of health said a...
View ArticleAnti-flu steps finalized for Umrah pilgrims
Muhammad Humaidan | Arab News JEDDAH: Precautionary measures against the spread of swine flu during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan have been approved by the committee on Haj and Umrah at the...
View ArticleIran cancels all Saudi flights in Ramadan
Galal Fakkar | Arab News JEDDAH: Iran has canceled all flights to Saudi Arabia during Ramadan to minimize the spread of swine flu, an aviation official was quoted as saying by Jumhuri Eslami newspaper...
View ArticleEgypt puts bar on Umrah pilgrims
Galal Fakkar | Arab News JEDDAH: Egypt has imposed restrictions on Umrah pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia during the holy month of Ramadan as a precaution against the HINI virus. Egyptian Health...
View ArticleEgypt Puts Restrictions on Umrah Pilgrims over Flu Fears
JEDDAH ' Egypt has imposed partial curbs on pilgrims coming to Saudi Arabia for Umrah during the holy month of Ramadan. "Until further notice Umrah pilgrims who have not been issued visas and who are...
View ArticleMakkah gears up for holy month
Hamid Al-Sulami & Ibtisam Sheqdar | Arab News MAKKAH: All government departments in this holy city have completed preparations to welcome pilgrims and visitors who are flocking to Makkah from...
View ArticleRamadan begins on Saturday amid swine flu worries
RIYADH: Islam's fasting month of Ramadan begins on Saturday in most of the Arab world and Iran, but swine flu has cast a cloud over pilgrimages to Mecca and might also dampen enthusiasm for the...
View ArticleMakkah hotels to hire doctors
Muhammad Humaidan | Arab News JEDDAH: Umrah companies will be asked to provide resident doctors at Makkah hotels accommodating more than 400 pilgrims as a precautionary measure to contain a potential...
View ArticleRamadan begins amid swine flu worries
Muslims attend prayers on the eve of the first day of the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, at Istiqlal mosque in Jakarta Aug. 21, 2009. Muslims around the world congregate for special evening prayers...
View ArticleMIDDLE EAST: Swine flu keeps Muslim pilgrims at home
web Photo: Wikimedia Commons DUBAI, 26 August 2009 (IRIN) - Far fewer Muslims than normal are undertaking the lesser pilgrimage known as 'Umrah' because of coordinated efforts by health ministers in...
View ArticleMakkah hoteliers suffer heavy losses due to cancellations
Arab News MAKKAH: Hotels and Umrah companies in Makkah are expected to suffer heavy losses this Ramadan as many prospective foreign pilgrims have canceled their trips fearing swine flu. As a result...
View ArticleCharity begins in Makkah
Badea Abu Al-Naja | Arab News MAKKAH: Ramadan is a month of hospitality, brotherhood, chivalry and social solidarity — qualities that are expressed each year during the holy month, especially in the...
View ArticleFlu Worries Weaken Tourism to Saudi Holy Sites
By ASHRAF KHALIL CAIRO -- Fears among Muslims world-wide that this year's pilgrimage high season in Saudi Arabia will become a breeding ground for the new H1N1 flu has Saudi tourism officials worried....
View ArticleFew swine flu cases among pilgrims: Saudi
Only a few swine flu cases and no deaths were reported among millions of Muslim pilgrims during the holy month of Ramadan, the Saudi health ministry said on Monday. Just 26 cases of A(H1N1) influenza...
View ArticleSaudi religious tourism hit hard as swine-flu worries keep pilgrims away
Number of visitors from gulf sharply declines in lead up to hajj holy ceremony Tuesday, September 29, 2009 - Powered by Ulf Laessing Reuters MECCA, Saudi Arabia: Standing behind a wall of pearls and...
View ArticleFew swine flu cases among Umrah pilgrims
Arab News JEDDAH: Only a few swine flu cases and no deaths were reported among millions of pilgrims during the holy month of Ramadan despite fears of a massive outbreak, the Health Ministry said on...
View ArticleArabs on guard against swine flu ahead of hajj
Arab countries have stepped up efforts to combat swine flu ahead of the hajj, fearing the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca could provoke outbreaks despite reassurances from Saudi Arabia. Some two...
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