Saudi Arabia to welcome all pilgrims to perform Haj

Saudi Arabia today said it will welcome all pilgrims to the country to perform Haj even though it has issued an advisory requesting elderly citizens and children to postpone their pilgrimage in the wake of swine flu alert.

Saudi Arabia today said it will welcome all pilgrims to the country to perform Haj even though it has issued an advisory requesting elderly citizens and children to postpone their pilgrimage in the wake of swine flu alert.

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In a statement, the Saudi embassy said the advisory was a follow up to the epidemic alert and to contain this disease from spreading.

However, it said, the final decision to follow the advisory was left with the concerned Haj authorities of each country to prevent or allow "aged, chronically ill children and pregnant women" to perform Haj this year.

"The Saudi government and its people always whole heartedly welcome and consider a honour to serve the guests of Allah," the statement said.