Since the appearance of swine flu cases in the Kingdom, questions were raised in private meetings and in the media about the impact the illness would have on the Haj and Umrah pilgrimages. Questions were asked how the government would face the problem, particularly after reports that some countries were considering preventing their citizens from traveling to the Kingdom for Haj and Umrah.
At this time, the misunderstanding prevalent among people worried me, particularly as some “wicked” people had used the word “swine” to terrorize others into thinking the epidemic could wipe them all out. I was also worried about the effects of the Ministry of Health’s silence on the matter and its delay in confronting the rumors and the illness, particularly since the issue affects the reputation of Saudi Arabia, which is responsible for providing protection to pilgrims and visitors to the two holy mosques. Now I thank the ministry for its temporary silence and for not making hasty statements that would not have provided a truthful assessment of the situation nor included methods of dealing with the problem.
I think the best thing that the ministry has done was to organize a workshop to formulate precautionary measures against swine flu, with a particular focus on Haj and Umrah. Experts in virology and epidemiology from various parts of the world participated in the workshop. I wish the media coverage of this workshop were wider and its reports and recommendations were communicated to all Muslim countries concerned with the health of their citizens so they may be assured of the measures being taken by the Kingdom in protecting pilgrims and visitors.
We are facing a disease that is no more precarious than the common flu. The World Health Organization has not issued recommendations to stop traveling to and from countries that have reported cases of swine flu. There is, therefore, no inclination for canceling Haj or Umrah travel, or even cutting down the pilgrim quotas of countries affected by the pandemic, as stated by Dr. Ziyad Maymash, assistant undersecretary for preventive medicine at the Ministry of Health and chairman of the workshop.
We are sure the Saudi government is well aware of the sensitivity of its responsibility in such scenarios. The health authorities in the Kingdom are capable of taking the most appropriate measures in protecting pilgrims and visitors. The only negative thing in all this is that we are not good at communicating to others what we are doing.
