Afraid of the spread of the swine flu in the Kingdom, several people who normally used to break their fast in tents especially pitched for the purpose outside the mosques, are missing from the feast. They are scared of catching the H1N1 virus due to the unhealthy environment at these tents. Officials from the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Health Affairs Management, and imams of the mosques have already launched warning campaigns in various segments like malls, hospitals, mosques and polyclinics. These campaigns are involving both citizens and expatriate workers. “We are trying our best to control the Iftar meals, said Dr. Tawifik Al-Sedairi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs. He said hygiene monitoring was always there but given the urgency over the issue this time around strict vigilance is maintained. Preparations to provide a healthy environment at these tents were launched in earnest right after the outbreak of swine flu in the Kingdom, he said. “Imams will not be allowed to hold Iftar meals in mosques. They will be held in big open yards to avoid food smell from spreading and the leftover food from lying around the mosques,” added Al-Sedairi. “Specialist staff from the ministry will be making rounds to ensure that all healthy procedures are being followed,” he said. All branches of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs around the Kingdom, he said, have been instructed to be in touch with mosques where Iftar meals are being arranged in tents. “It will help them in ensuring that all healthy procedures and steps are being followed.” The Health Affairs Management has launched several warning campaigns around malls, mosques , parks and other recreation areas to make people aware of the healthy steps to avoid infection. “Most of the visitors to Iftar tents are illiterate or semi literate expatriate workers. To make them understand the healthy procedures is a tough job,” said Dr. Munirah Balahmar, Community Medicine Consultant at the Ministry of Health, and Head of Health Awareness Department in the Primary Health Management in Jeddah. “The low education level of the workers who are taking their Iftar meals in tents motivated the Ministry of Health to present a short movie to show the people how to avoid infectious diseases,” she said. To tackle the spread of infectious diseases, people are best advised to stay away from crowded places. Noted Islamic scholar, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Jefn, has also stressed on the importance of avoiding crowded places in the face of the swine flu pandemic. “Holding Iftar tents is useful. It shows the unity of the Muslims and care for each other. But because of the fast expanding swine flu virus it is our duty to take safety procedures. And one of the most important procedures that should be taken is to avoid crowded places,” he said.
