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Tunisia suspended pilgrimages to Mecca

In fear of the swine flu infection, Tunisia suspended pilgrimages to Mecca although has reserved judgment on whether the main hajj pilgrimage should take place in November.

As well as the annual hajj that all Muslims are required to make once in a lifetime they can also go on a pilgrimage to holy places known as omra at any time of the year. The Tunisian religious affairs Minster has suspended these omra trips stating that they were a necessary decision’ and that the pandemic meant that officials should reflect on whether or not to postpone the hajj later this year. In the interim, the country has toughened selection criteria for hajj candidates doubling medical checks and ruling out the elderly or sick on the grounds they would be more exposed to infection.