ID :
61192
Tue, 05/19/2009 - 10:17
Auther :

INFLUENZA: NO RESTRICTION YET ON M'SIANS PERFORMING UMRAH




PUTRAJAYA, May 18 (Bernama) -- Minister in the Prime Minister's Department
Maj-Gen (R) Datuk Jamil Khir Baharom refuted reports that Saudi Arabia had
imposed a temporary freeze in the issuance of visa to Malaysians performing the
umrah following the detection of Influenza A (H1N1) cases in the country.

He said that until Sunday, visas were still being approved and that all
umrah affairs were progressing smoothly.

"We checked with our office in Mecca last night and this morning but there
was no information about the freeze in the issuance of visa to Malaysians," he
told reporters after visiting the Precinct 3 mosque complex project here Monday.

Jamil Khir advised the public to verify any information first before relying
upon it.

He said such a report could create uneasiness among the public and umrah
organisers.

Citing a report by the Arab News, a local newspaper, Monday reported that
visas would not be issued to Malaysians as part of the measures to contain the
spread of the H1N1 virus.

Asked on the suggestion by Egypt's grand mufti Sheikh Ali Jumua that ulama
in all Muslim countries issue a fatwa to postpone this year's haj pilgrimage due
to the H1N1 epidemic, Jamil Khir said it was just a proposal.

"Not all suggestions can be implemented. The haj season is still far away,
in November, and maybe at that time the epidemic is no longer a problem," he
said.

Meanwhile, Jamil Khir said the 11 per cent increase in the fare to perform
the haj this season was reasonable.

He said the increase could not be avoided due to the hike in the costs of
accommodation, transportation and food.

Jamil Khir said Tabung Haji was still subsidising 26 per cent of the total
expenditure, which amounted to at least RM70 million for this season.

Tabung Haji announced on Friday that the fare for performing the haj this
season would be RM9,980 per person compared to RM8,973 previously.

The total expenditure per person is expected to be around RM12,600.
(US$1=RM3.56)
-- BERNAMA

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