Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Several HIV-positive pilgrims have hidden their condition from Haj campaign committees for fear of being excluded from pilgrimage.

Haj campaign committees often refuse to deal with AIDS patients, erroneously fearing they would contract the disease

“We have helped 10 HIV-positive patients perform the Haj pilgrimage this year,” said Musa Abu Ghabra, director of the Saudi Charity Association for AIDS Patients (SACA).

“Not telling Haj committees of a health condition is not a violation if the disease is not infectious,” said Abu Ghabra.

“We should help these patients live with the disease and encourage them to perform the Haj rituals instead of shunning them. Many HIV-positive pilgrims fear being negatively stereotyped during their journey.”

“Most of these pilgrims don’t even have the money to perform Haj. This is why we help them. They don’t need to have a doctor and nurse with them, contrary to what many think."