The annual pilgrimage to Mecca - or Hajj - has been canceled by Tunisian authorities for fear that traveling Muslims will be infected by the Swine flu and then bring it back to the nation.
Tunisian authorities had previously cautioned against the Hajj for the elderly - which is the time of life during which most do it - and for the young; a move followed by other Arab countries. But a month and a half prior to the Hajj, authorities decided to simply cancel it entirely.
Tunisian Minister for Religious Affairs, Abu Bakr al-Akhzouri, announced on Tuesday the travel ban to Saudi Arabia and stated that details will be announced during Friday sermons and by the media.
Of course, the ban is in theory unenforceable since any Tunisian can fly to Saudi Arabia via Egypt or any other country. But most just may follow their government dictates.
The Swine flu Hajj scare, from Tunisia et al, is expected to reduce Hajj attendance and cost Saudi tourism a loss of $266.
The Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. All Muslims are required to perform it at least once - if possible. If one is prevented from doing so due to monetary or health reasons, that is acceptable. But reasons must be sincere and there is no fooling Allah.
The Hajj is really a two-part pilgrimage since it is preceded by another pilgrimage known as the ‘Umrah.
