CAIRO: Egypt has imposed further restrictions on citizens wishing to travel to Saudi Arabia to participate in the Umrah, or lesser pilgrimage in Islam, during the holy month of Ramadan. The move comes as Cairo continues to worry over the possible spread and outbreak of the deadly H1N1 virus that has already infected over 400 Egyptians. One Egyptian woman, returning from the pilgrimage in July, died as a result of the virus. Egyptian Health Minister Hatim Al-Gebali said on Thursday that only those pilgrims for whom Umrah visas were issued before last Thursday would be allowed to travel to Saudi Arabia. His comments came after an Egyptian ministerial committee decided to suspend permission for new Umrah trips for Egyptians as a precaution against the spread of the H1N1 virus in the country. Egyptians are not happy with the move, saying it hinders their ability to participate in an important aspect of their faith. “We need to be allowed to go. God will protect us if that is the worry,” said Mona Ahmed, a 34-year-old hairdresser. Egypt’s suspension follows moves elsewhere in the region, notably Iran and Iraq, to suspend pilgrimages during Ramadan. A committee studying the spread of the swine flu decided Wednesday to bar more Egyptians from going to Saudi Arabia for the lesser pilgrimage. “Until further notice Umrah pilgrims who have not been issued visas and who are under 25 or over the age of 65 will not be allowed to perform Umrah this Ramadan,†Gebali said while speaking on an Egyptian television program. Egyptian workers with valid Saudi residency/work permits will, however, be allowed to travel to the Kingdom, the minister added. “The Ministry of Health also fears that the interaction between the bird flu virus and swine flu virus might breed a still more dreadful strain of the virus,†the health minister continued. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations made during an emergency meeting in July, Egypt has gone beyond the required steps to curtail the spread of the deadly virus. The region's health ministers decided at the meeting not to allow pilgrims under 12-years-old and above 65-years-old to perform the Haj, or major pilgrimage required of all Muslims at least once in their lifetime, to travel this November. BM
