H1N1 concerns have caused many booking cancellations with Umrah and Haj travel agents as Muslims postpone or cancel their pilgrimage plans. A Sadaf Haj Umrah official said “Authorized agents are worried about the massive cancellations and business will be down considerably.” The official expects business to fall by 30% because of the swine flu.
Muslims around the world visit Holy Mosques in Saudi Arabia during Ramadan and Haj but the government implemented age restrictions because of H1N1. The Saudi Health Ministry directive ordered that those over the age of 65 or younger than 12 can’t take part in the pilgrimage. The directive adds “Pilgrims suffering from chronic diseases such as heart disease, liver, kidney, and complications of diabetes, obesity, or any other diseases affecting the health and immunity should not perform Umrah or Haj until the situation improves.”
