Tuesday, 20 May 2014

Indonesian Government Makes No Changes in Umrah Trips Despite of Increase in MERS Cases



According to Jakarta Post the Minister forReligious Affairs of Indonesia, Suryadharma Ali has revealed in a recent statement thatin spite of increase in the number ofMiddle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) cases in Saudi Arabia government has no plans to delay or reduce the trips of pilgrims to the holy land. Talking to the media people after the ceremony of the Buddhist Day of Enlightenment in Central Java on Wednesday, May 15, 2014 the minister said that they have not taken any step regarding cancellation or delay of Umrah trips yet. He also said that fatality rate due to MERS still had not reached a high level, as it is between 34 to 35 percent. 

Adding to it, Ali said that this fatality rate is far below than rabies and bird flu rate that touched 85 percent mark at one time. According to Suryadharma, they have made this decision after reviewing the considerations of World Health Organization (WHO) and various other relevant institutions. Given that these institutions have not declared MERS as an ‘extraordinary event’ yet.The Religious Affairs Minister also said that the MERS virus first emerged in the Middle East back in 2012 and between 2012 and 2013 no Indonesian pilgrim was reported to have suffered from this disease. He said the increase in the spread of virus was only escalated during this year.   

However, according to the minister, the government is cautious and is already taking measures to avert the spread of MERS, as he said that do not let the disease spread in the country. As compared to Indonesia, Egypt has recently cancelled 25 percent of its Umrah trips due to increase in the cases of MERS. Still Basil Al-Sisithe chairman of the Economic Chamber of Tourism Companies in Egypt is of the opinion that the number of pilgrims will remain stable during the holy month of Ramadan. If you too are looking to perform Umrah in Saudi Arabia during Ramadan then, acquire the first-rate services of UK’s most prominent travel agency British Hajj TravelLtd.

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