Kuwait (McClatchy-Tribune Information Services) -- Following the debate on whether academic season should be resumed due to the swine flu infection scare, attention has now shifted to the Hajj season. Many Hajj convoy owners are now claiming that the season has been hit by the scare.

Tunis was the first Muslim country to announce that no pilgrimage would be conducted this year. Saudi Arabia announced that new regulations would be issued for Hajj visas. In Kuwait, however, four convoys have already announced their decision not to take part in this year's Hajj. Those who are still 'available' are complaining about 'disappointing' turn over.

Faisal Al-Mutairi, the owner of Amesh Al-Mutairy Hajj convoy, said that the media should blame for the losses. "It's the media's exaggeration of the swine flu disease that made scared people from going on a Hajj this year, especially after the statement given by health officials. One said that pilgrims must take vaccination shots in order to be allowed entry into Saudi Arabia. There were other reports which stated that the vaccine could cause death. How do you expect people not to be confused?" he questioned.

Al-Mutairy also pointed out that ,usually by this time of the year, booking would have been full. Now only 50 percent of the seats have been reserved.

Two kinds of Hajj convoys operate in Kuwait. There are the ones that cater exclusively to Kuwaiti and GCC pilgrims. Others have permission to take in foreigners, in addition to Kuwaitis. Ali Al-Khether is an administrator at one of the 'Kuwaiti only' Hajj convoy.

He told Kuwait Times that it is easier for them to face this unusual situation. This is because they do not have to undergo the hassle of securing Hajj visa for their pilgrims. So, they do not have to rent a place in Mecca for the pilgrims to stay. This is because they can do this later on. "Now, there are only 15 subscribers, out of the 200 that we have license to take. If the turnout is low, we will see that the numbers do not cover our expenses. We will not go this year then. We will not lose any money in this case, but of course, we will not earn any money either," he said.

Those who have already paid for the facilities in Mecca are in a dilemma. They have to embark on the Hajj in order to cash in on the expenses they have paid. Many have already reduced their prices, but the turnout is still small.

Ayed Al-Fadhly, a supervisor with a Hajj convoy that is already 'in the game,' told Kuwait Times that despite the fact that prices plummeted by almost 20 percent, few convoys offer Hajj services this year. There are a few who register for the Hajj.

We currently have less than 10 people who have registered their names for the Hajj out of 400 seats. Usually, by this time, were receive at least 70 names or so, and we've already paid about 100,000 Kuwaiti dinars to rent one building in Mecca for pilgrims. We've already reduced the prices by more than KD 300. So, we hope that there'll be at least enough number to cover our expenses. This is because the loss is going to be overwhelming otherwise.

Some convoy owners, however, feel more optimistic. Thamer Al-Barrak said, "We noticed at the beginning of the season that people hesitated to register. In the last few days it appears as if people have a better understanding of the disease. Now the turnout is picking up slowly again. I hope the season will be good.

The Kuwait Times spoke to some of the people who went to register their names for the Hajj. Some actually said that they are actually taking advantage of the low prices and the low turnout, to go on a Hajj this year. Husain Al-Shemmery said, "I'm, inshallah, planning to go on a Hajj this year for the first time. This is because I wanted to utilize the time when the Hajj convoys come cheap, and also since there'll not be so many people this year because of the age restrictions." Al-Shemmery also pointed out that the swine flu numbers in Kuwait have been exaggerated.

Husain Abdul Jabbar, an elderly Syrian man, was trying to negotiate for his friend. He said, "I don't care about the warnings. Only Allah can decide on death. So influenza or other things do not concern me," he said.

Owners of the Hajj convoys said that the Saudi embassy in Kuwait has extended the period for Hajj visa application this year because of swine flu fears, which gives them more time to apply for visas this year.

Copyright (C) 2009, Kuwait Times