Hajj 2009 Updates - Limits

Age - Health Limits for 1430 A.H. (C.E. 2009)

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China - Thurs. Sept 20 - Under 18, Over 65 -
No Go

Swine Flu, Meningitis, Hajji pilgrims - (Oct 1)
Over 65, under 12, pregnant, chronic disease of lungs, heart, kidney, liver, etc.

Iran - Limits Hajjis -

Tunisia imposes health restrictions on hajj pilgrims [whole story on this headline  - sample of what is to come on www.performhajj.com]
Citing health fears, Tunisia urges citizens to postpone hajj travels for another year.
By Jamel Arfaoui for Magharebia in Tunis – 07/10/09

Tunisia this week became the first country to attempt containment of H1N1 influenza by restricting hajj pilgrimages.

Months after hinting that such a measure might be required, the Tunisian government banned the old and the infirm from travel to Saudi Arabia. Religious Affairs Minister Abu-Bakr al-Akhzouri announced the decision at a press conference on Tuesday (October 6th).

"Avoiding the dangers of that virus which we fear will spread quickly because of the cold weather, which coincides with the hajj season, requires us to call on those who desire to perform the hajj this year to postpone it to next year," a ministry communiqué said.

Tunisia had already suspended umrah trips to Mecca, performed by some 30,000 people each year.

The latest measures were taken in part to placate Saudi authorities, who this year issued new regulations aimed at slowing a swine flu epidemic. Any pilgrim registering a temperature above 38 degrees is prevented from boarding flights.

For those still planning to undertake the hajj, Tunisia has initiated a two-part mandatory medical screening. First, candidates under the age of 12 and over the age of 65 are removed from the candidate pool. Those who suffer from chronic diseases are also removed, in compliance with Saudi restrictions. Of the 6,400 remaining, only 2,761 passed the following medical screening phase. Around 185 perspective pilgrims withdrew before screening.

"I don't believe the excuses that the authorities have come up with to prevent us from performing a duty that every Muslim dreams of," said disappointed Tunisian Al Taher Al Talmoudi, 67. "I believe in destiny, and if I'm destined to die, it'll happen even if I'm at home."

Travel agent Thamer Al Andalusi is worried about how the ban will affect his field. "We specialise in transporting hajjis," he said. "Travel agents are still suffering from the negative results of the decision to suspend the umrah."

Journalist Mohammed Al Hadef said travel agents were exaggerating. "The hajj sector is mainly supervised by a government agency," he said. "It only concerns a handful of travel agents."

Minister Akzhouri said the Tunisian government was considering a form of support for travel agencies, but mentioned no further details.

Islamic scholars are divided about the announcement. Sami Brahim, a specialist in Islamic issues, said, "As far as the sharia is concerned, the state doesn't have the right to prevent people from performing the hajj. However, I think that the decision has been taken after listening to the counsel of clerics and scholars who can evaluate the benefit to be gained from such a decision."

Sheikh Youssef Al Qaradaoui disagrees. In a press statement, the sheikh said the cancellation of the hajj due to H1N1 fears "is not acceptable as far as the sharia is concerned," adding that there was no need to postpone the hajj or the umrah. He said that it was only necessary for hajjis to be vigilant, keep away from crowds, and wear protective masks.

To physician Kamal Al Drissi, the decision by Tunisian authorities was correct.

"In normal days, older people are usually exposed to illness while performing the rites. We shouldn't forget that performing the hajj rites requires much effort. I don't think that any old person or anyone suffering from diabetes or heart disease can resist the flu if they are exposed to infection," he said.

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