Translated material
Normal heroes always take a detour
Due to bird flu, Russian authorities want to return pilgrims from Mecca, bypassing Turkey
The growing epidemic of bird flu in Turkey has introduced amendments to the procedure of the Muslim Hajj, which seemed so far from worldly affairs. For the safety of Russian pilgrims, as well as citizens on Russian territory, the domestic hajj mission had to work on changing the route of believers returning from Saudi Arabia. According to the agreements reached yesterday in Mecca and Moscow, instead of the traditional route that previously passed through Turkey, a new land route has been developed - through Syria, the northern part of Iraq (Kurdistan), Iran and Azerbaijan. Akhmed Bilalov, commissioner of the Hajj Council under the government of the Russian Federation, told ITAR-TASS journalists by phone from Saudi Arabia. According to him, “the possibility of transporting pilgrims through Kuwait by ferry to Iran, and then to Azerbaijan,” is also being considered.”The latter method can be used by most Russian pilgrims returning home by land. According to Mr. Bilalov, this is about 9 thousand people, mostly Dagestanis.
The possibility of organizing special flights is also being considered. Presumably, more than 4 thousand Russians will be able to use air transportation. “This will require the intervention of the Russian government, since additional funds are needed,” noted Akhmed Bilalov. In addition to the monetary problem, however, the schedule of all flights still needs to be redrawn in order to fit into the limit on air corridors. The first flight with pilgrims to Makhachkala is scheduled for January 19, and for January 21 - to Moscow.
Obviously, the meeting in Mecca took place in pursuance of the instructions of the Russian President, which he announced on Tuesday in the Kremlin at a meeting with members of the government. Let us recall that Vladimir Putin demanded to take control of all potential routes of bird flu infection into Russia and to protect “the border in the broadest sense of the word.”
As for the Russians now staying in Mecca, according to the chief sanitary doctor of Russia Gennady Onishchenko, there is no danger for them yet. The border of Saudi Arabia for the entry of pilgrims is closed until January 14, and no infection from Turkey will be able to get there. Gennady Onishchenko himself promises to regularly consult doctors in the Russian hajj group. True, from Moscow, by phone.