The Islamic Republic Of Iran BANS THE HAJJ?!?!?!

[nopasties]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_ea...stm?FORM=ZZNR9

Iran bans Mecca visits over flu


Millions of people take part in pilgrimages to Mecca every year

Iran has banned all pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan in an attempt to contain the spread of swine flu. Health officials said no Iranians would remain in Saudi Arabia after 22 August.
Mecca is a popular destination for Muslims undergoing the spiritual experience of fasting during Ramadan.
Arab health ministers have already agreed to prevent vulnerable groups of people from joining the larger Hajj pilgrimage, taking place in November.
"We will have no pilgrims in Saudi Arabia during the month of Ramadan," Health Minister Mohammad Bagher Lankarani was quoted as saying by the Isna news agency.
He said the high numbers of people travelling to the holy places during the holy month, beginning on about 22 August, increased the risk of the virus spreading and being brought back to Iran.

KEY LINKS



World response to swine flu crisis
Swine flu pandemic
In depth: Swine flu

Iranian state media said health officials were also setting up a system of checks for pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia.
In July, Arab health ministers said people aged over 65 and under 12, and those with chronic diseases, would be excluded from the main Hajj pilgrimage this year.
Saudi Arabia has itself also asked elderly and sick Muslims not to participate.
The World Health Organization says Iran has so far reported 144 cases of swine flu but no fatalities. Iran says 50% of cases were in people who had recently returned from Saudi Arabian pilgrimages.

This is weird. Does anyone believe this considering the current political climate inside Iran. Has Any other country done anything like this?

Something is going on in that country.

[Da Skinna]

No.... kidding.

Hmm.

[Erik]

If Iran hasn't stockpiled Tamiflu yet (which, given their economic situation is very likely), then this move makes sense.

I don't see what possible political motive they could have.

[Da Skinna]

Still, you'd think people would clamor anyway for the right to pilgrimage... especially Muslims.

[nopasties]

Still, you'd think people would clamor anyway for the right to pilgrimage... especially Muslims.

Espcially a theocratic state! That is what seems suspicious to me. I do not kow what exact motives are there but this weird.

Maybe this is to keep certain people from fleeing the country. Maybe this is to keep Iranians from telling other mulsims what is going on over there???

[jankren]

Espcially a theocratic state! That is what seems suspicious to me. I do not kow what exact motives are there but this weird.

Maybe this is to keep certain people from fleeing the country. Maybe this is to keep Iranians from telling other mulsims what is going on over there???

Lol, you are totally sensationalizing.

This isnt really news.

It would be news if Iran banned Iranian Muslims from fasting or praying.

[Wallace316]

Well at least they are taking steps to controll the flu. There will probably be some upset people but I doubt many will have the guts to compain to loud.

[nopasties]

Well at least they are taking steps to controll the flu. There will probably be some upset people but I doubt many will have the guts to compain to loud.

Iran is the only country that announced this. Every other muslim country is asking the elderly and sick to stay home but that is it.

[Wallace316]

Iran is the only country that announced this. Every other muslim country is asking the elderly and sick to stay home but that is it.

Kudos for the attempts I say. Maybe others will follow.

[Stavroforos]

So they'll go next year, big deal.

[Каие]

Well done nopasties, you've discovered the ignoble art of sensationalist headlining.

[nopasties]

Well done nopasties, you've discovered the ignoble art of sensationalist headlining.

I have not heard of this being done before by a nation banning its people from going on religious pilgrimage.

Also, yes I have felt more creative in making headlines lately. Sorry if it is a non-story. My interest in the Middle East is still somewhat new.

[Каие]

I have not heard of this being done before by a nation banning its people from going on religious pilgrimage.

Also, yes I have felt more creative in making headlines lately. Sorry if it is a non-story. My interest in the Middle East is still somewhat new.

What I'm saying is you completely ignored the actual legitimate reason for the ban in your title. A popular strategy for the Tabloids. Draw them in with WILD titles and then mention the reason in the article.

[MehemtAli_Pasha]

Egyptian Azhar scholars are still discussing the attempt to ban Egyptian Pilgrimage this year because of swine flu. so it may not make Iranian headlines, but many other Muslim nations are considering such action as an option.

[Heinz Guderian]

Iranians were banned from Hajj for most of the eighties. Supposedly, they are still viewed with much suspicion in Saud Occupied Arabia.

[removeduser_052420]

Lol, the Iranians trying to warn the Saudis about oppressive governments? Haha thats like complaining about the Heat in Hell to the Devil himself

[Keravnos]

Lol, the Iranians trying to warn the Saudis about oppressive governments? Haha thats like complaining about the Heat in Hell to the Devil himself

The Saudi government has done more for the people of S. Arabia then all of the Theocrats of Iran lumped together, so far as economic development is concerned. S. Arabia doesn't need to fund Hamas and other terrorist organizations. S. Arabia doesn't need to maintain a "me against the world" rhetoric in order to stabilize a faliling state. S. Arabia, offers chance for economic prosperity that Iran won't and other countries of the region just can't. Where do you think is a better place to live right now? S. Arabia, Iran or Pakistan?

To my mind, a "Kingdom" isn't automatically bad, no more than a "Theocratic autocracy" which calls itself a Democratic state is good. UAE is a union of Emirs, aka a union of many Kings, but it is one of the most rapidly developing countries in the world, producing wealth and a better life for the people living in UAE and hundreds of thousands of others who flocked in there. A King, safe in his legitimacy and decades if not hundreds of years of unbroken rule, unbound by red tape and the need to be ahead in the polls and "tradition" can send his country in amazing heights of prosperity, if the will and the capital to do so is there. Look at UAE and you will see what I mean.

Let's not remain imprisoned to the Marxist rhetoric of yore, or the anti-colonialism of the 60's. This is 2009 CE. Things that work, countries that work are to be commended, whereas countries on the brink of failure must be warned for it. No, I am not advocating a return of Monarchy for countries which have elected to do away with it, but, you all have to realize that a King who puts his country's interest first is a whole lot better than elected officials who just loot and run (under the facet of legitimacy).

[roy34543]

it only bans "vulnerable" people from going,the very old or very young.
who knowing the haj would likely be stomped to death.

[jankren]

Lol,

Iran is 100X better than Saudi Arabia.

Any country is better than a country where you can get arrested under the accusation of trying to attract the opposite sex by wearing too much pomade.

All Saudi Arabia have is oil. Once it is finished the country will collapse.

Dont compare UAE with Saudi Arabia. Its idiotic. Its actually beyond idiotic.

[kambiz]

There's nothing political in this ! It's just an attempt to contain the spread of swine flu nothing more.