By IANS,
New Delhi : Only those with valid flu vaccination certificates will be permitted to go on the Haj, Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor said Saturday.
He also said those with swine flu symptoms may not be allowed to leave the country for the Haj.
“Flu vaccination will be mandatory for every Haj pilgrim visiting holy places in Saudi Arabia,” the minister told reporters here, adding the Saudi Arabian government has stipulated quite a few restrictions against the backdrop of the swine flu epidemic.
Tharoor said the government has requested for an enhanced Haj quota from Saudi Arabia this year.
Though many Arab nations have announced that those who are above 65 years old and below 12 would not be allowed for the Haj, India has not made this mandatory, the minister said.
He said a better equipped medical team will be sent to Saudi Arabia during the pilgrimage and all the preparations are on schedule for the 110,000 pilgrims under the government quota and about 50,000 under the private quota.
He also said that the lottery to select Haj applicants has been computerised this year to avoid complaints of favouritism.