Information Center

Mobile Messages for Hajj
  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: Taking the necessary vaccinations before traveling is one of the basic qualifications for performing Hajj. So, it is strongly recommended to take the proper vaccination, so as to be immune – God willing – against many infectious diseases.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: It is important to prepare your body for the Hajj journey sufficiently in advance, by doing simple exercises and getting enough sleep, as well as eating nutritionally rich foods that strengthen your body and promote its immunity; thus helping you exert the physical efforts needed to perform the Hajj rites and evade infectious diseases.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: Are you aware that the meningitis vaccine should not be given to children under the age of 6 months? This in mind, it is recommended not to bring you children when performing Hajj, since they are more prone to infection.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: In case you suffer from one of the diseases that require certain food dieting, you have to take some simple measure, including seeing the doctor for the purpose of adjusting your diet, as well as informing the campaign officials of your health status to provide the appropriate foods, coordinating a meal schedule, and possessing a health card identifying the nature of the disease you are suffering from.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: Be sure to take the meningitis vaccine 10 days prior to setting out for Hajj, since the vaccine is not brought into effect until after this specific period.
  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: In case you suffer from one of the chronic diseases, don't forget to take a sufficient quantity of your drugs for the Hajj period, and an additional quantity sufficient for three days, to be on the safe side.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: Make sure the validity of drugs and medicines of ailments and chronic diseases before heading for Hajj.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: In case you decide to perform Hajj only one or two days before its due date, you have to take the meningitis vaccine, in addition to the preventive dose of antibiotics prescribed by your doctor.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: When planning for the Hajj journey, don't forget to write down the names and doses of the drugs you will use, so as to restore them, in case they are lost.
  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: Be sure to take the seasonal influenza vaccine before setting out for Hajj, since influenza affects the pilgrim's vitality, causes him fatigue, and may prevent him from performing the Hajj rites – God forbid!

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: Keep away, as far as possible, from uncooked, raw or semi-raw foods, such as some sorts of fish, tuna, dishes with mayonnaise, egg salad and chicken; for such foods are reckoned a suitable environment for the proliferation of bacteria causing food poisoning.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: Make sure that you have in your suitcase the necessary personal cleaning supplies, such as soup, towels, toothbrushes, and shavers.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: Avoid, as much as possible, buying uncovered foods from street-vendors or open cafés and restaurants (such as 'shawerma' shops); for many foods are often quickly spoilt when left for a certain period after cooking.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: Don't be so much involved in the preparation for Hajj, that you may endanger your life, by putting two different sorts of drugs in one package, for example. It is recommended to save the unused drugs sealed in their original packages. 

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: On performing Hajj, be sure to take your drugs with water, and nothing else, except when instructed by your doctor to do otherwise.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: Trying out new or strange foods should be postponed until after the performance of Hajj rites; because foods tried for the first time may cause digestive disorders or food allergies.
  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: In case you are planning to travel by land (car or bus), make sure to keep drugs away from sunlight, since it extinguishes the effect of the drug.

  • Dear Hajjah: In case you are about to set out for Hajj, knowing that the menstrual cycle is impending, make sure to take some anti-menstruation medicine, after consulting your doctor, until after the performance of Hajj.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: Make sure the validity of the packaged foodstuff, and that the unused products don't show any spoilage indications (such as rust or inflation). It is recommended to by some ready-made foods, that do not need to be refrigerated, such as biscuits, cake and shaboura, on condition that they are low-fat and moderate in terms of sugar and salt.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: Don't be so much involved in performing the Hajj rites, to the extent that you neglect taking your medications; as this may make you unable to complete the performance of Hajj – God forbid!

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: Make sure to obtain a health card, in case you are suffering from some disease, to enable medics to help you as soon as possible. Such a card, God willing, may be a means for rescuing your life.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: Avoid using the others' toothbrushes, and in incase you doubt that your brush has been used, get rid of it at once, and use a new one. This will help protect you from infectious diseases.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: In case you are suffering from asthma, it is recommended to use the bronchitis spray before performing any of the Hajj rites requiring physical effort, like circumambulating the Ka'ba (Tawaf), stoning (Rajm), walking between Safa and Marwa (Sa'i), or even standing in crowded places. 

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: It is recommended to buy small packages of foods and drinks. This way, you won't be in need of storing foods. Also, you ought to get rid of leftover foods, and never keep them outside the fridge, because there are numerous causes of food spoilage and pollution during Hajj.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: In case you are a diabetes patient, and an insulin user, then be sure to keep it in an ' Insulin protector', at the proper temperature, so as to be able to use it safely.  

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: Prevention is better than cure. So, in order to avoid thermal injuries, you have to evade exposure to direct sunlight, use an umbrella, and drink fluids in sufficient quantities, in addition to avoiding fatigue.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: It is highly recommended to use an umbrella, as it is of great importance in protecting from sunstrokes.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: Make sure that water is valid and clean before drinking. It is also useful to have refreshing drinks, juices and mineral water. But avoid using ice, in case the source of its water is unknown. Hot drinks prepared from clean boiled water are recommended.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: Taking an adequate rest after each of the Hajj rites enables the body to restore its vivacity, and helps perform the other rites. Such rests, therefore, are recommended.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: Suffering from food poisoning is one of the most common health problems during Hajj season, since many pilgrims pay no attention to the cleanliness rules when preparing or eating food. That is to say, unclean hands and tools are the main cause of food poisoning.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: Be sure, during Hajj, to eat nutritionally high-value and easy-to-digest foods, such as dates, milk, fresh vegetables and fruit. Such foods are a good source for vitamins, mineral salts, fluids, energy and natural fibers which protect you from constipation.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: Whenever you feel the symptoms of rise of fall of blood sugar, head for the nearest health center to receive the proper treatment, and evade complications.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: You'd better avoid taking medicines known for the agitation of asthma attacks, and bear in mind Aspirin (or its painkiller-components) may endanger your life – God forbid – owing to tiredness and fatigue. 

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim:  Reduce of high-fat, high-sugar, salty, spicy and heavy foods, because this kind of foods takes a considerably long time for digestion, and stimulates thirst as well.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: Many drugs shouldn't be taken simultaneously, or along with soft and energy drinks, to evade the problems that could occur due to the interaction of such drugs and drinks.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: You'd better eat fresh foods; like salad, vegetables, fruit, and moderate-fat yogurt, with emphasis on having small meals which provide you with necessary nutrients, remove the effects of fatigue, and restore the energy your body lost owing to your physical effort.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: In case you are an insulin user, and your insulin has not been saved in a proper place, for a long time, don't use it, as it is now of no effect.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: When performing the Hajj rites, you'd better drink as much water and fresh juices as you can, to offset the fluids and mineral salts your body lost.  

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: Avoid changing the prescribed dose of medicine (by halving it, for example) without consulting the competent doctor or pharmacist.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: Digestive and intestinal disorders, as well as the nausea caused by excessive intake of food and irregular meals, are some of the impediments that hinder the performance of Hajj rites easily. It is recommended, therefore, to eat in moderate amounts, avoid overeating, and arrange an accurate schedule of your meals.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: When taking liquid medicines, you have to use dose-measuring tools, and avoid drinking directly from the mouth of the drug bottle, saying that you don't have enough time.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: Avoid the excessive consumption of stimulants (such as tea, coffee, soft drinks and energy drinks), as they may lead to diuresis, causing dehydration, increased tension, anxiety, insomnia and fatigue, as well as reducing appetite.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: Whenever you feel abnormal side effects, following taking your medicine, you have to tell the physician or pharmacist at once, since some side effects are hazardous.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: It is recommended, on travelling, to carry your medicines, and not pack them with the luggage, because such luggage might be lost, or stored in too hot or too cold places.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: In case you are suffering from any health problem, or chronic disease, you'd better see your doctor, prior to setting out for Hajj, to see whether you'll be able to perform the Hajj rites.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: In case you are a chronic-disease-patient, you have to make this known to campaign your engaged in, and inform them of your health status, medications and medical instructions, so as to be used in case of emergency.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: You ought to be knowledgeable of the nearest health center in the Holy Sites, so that you can resort to it in cases of health emergency. 

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: In case you are a chronic-disease-patient, it is advisable to take the seasonal influenza vaccination prior to setting out for Hajj.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: One of the common Hajj diseases – May God protect you from all of them – is meningitis. It is an inflammation of the brain meninges and spinal cord caused by some sort of bacteria. So, you should take its vaccination before performing the rites.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: If you suffer from diabetes, you will need to obtain the diabetes card, which indicates that you are a Diabetic Patient.

  • Dear Diabetic Patient: You have to put on a wrist strap, with the following information written on it: name, disease, and medication; so that your health status can by identified when necessary.

  • Dear Diabetic Patient: On planning for the Hajj journey, it is advisable to tell your fellows, as well as the accompanying doctor (if there), about the nature of the disease and provide them with some information on the symptoms of low blood sugar (jerk in the hands, increased sweating and palpitations, sometimes accompanied by dysopia and confusion; whereas, in severe cases, convulsions and coma may occur). You have to tell them, besides, how to address such symptoms.

  • Dear Diabetic Patient: For prevention of low blood sugar, it is advisable to stick to a regular meal schedule, and not to delay eating after taking your medicine. However, in case of such a delay, you have to eat a piece of fruit or biscuits, etc.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: If you have asthma, then you have to adhere to taking your medicines regularly, whether tablets or sprays.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: Try to keep away from fatigue, staying up late at night, and all that might lead to tiring your body or weakening its immunity.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: For the prevention of sunburn, it is advisable to use an umbrella when going out during the day and avoid sun exposure, especially at noon. It is also recommended to use sun protection cosmetics, choosing the type that will be befitting you most.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: For the treatment of allergies, you have to keep away from the cause. In case of severe skin allergy, you should take anti-allergic drugs, after seeing a doctor; whereas, in cases of simple local skin allergy, anti-allergic creams and ointments will suffice.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: One of the most common eye-diseases is eye dryness (ophthalmoxerosis), occurring when there is a lack of tears, especially in hot and dusty places. 

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: Once you suffer from diarrhea, are advised of fluids so the body is not exposed to drought, as well as away from meals that contain fat and the use of some drugs when necessary and use the solution of the drought, and after consulting your doctor.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: Skin allergy occurs due to the abnormal interaction of the skin with an external stimulation. Its symptoms include: itching, irritation and skin rashes.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: Sunburns occur as a result of prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. They appear as swollen, red patches, causing severe itching and pain. Skin bubbles can appear as well.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: For the prevention of skin abrasion, it is important to ensure good ventilation for the areas (of the body) exposed to so much friction. Besides, it is advisable to stick to personal hygiene, and wear light, cotton, white-colored cloths. Also, you had better be changing your cloths constantly, and, preferably, apply skin moisturizers (like Vaseline) to the areas prone to much friction before performing the Hajj rites.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: You had better eat fresh fruits and vegetables, preferably those with thick crust like oranges and bananas. And be sure to pick the fruits which are well-washed, sound, and unscratched.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: Symptoms of pneumonia include feeling cold, high temperature (it may rise to 39° C), accompanies by heavy sweating, headache and chest pain (increasing during inhalation and severe coughing which may develop in two days to coughing phlegm. Shortness of breath might be a symptom of severe cases as well. On the emergence of such symptoms, do not hesitate to head for the nearest health center.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: Skin abrasion (especially in the inner thigh area) is very common during performing Hajj. It causes pain and itching, and may lead to difficulty walking. So be sure to provide good ventilation for the affected area.

  • Dear Cardiac Patient: It is highly recommended, on performing Hajj, to avoid – as much as possible – mental and physical stress, as well as rage and fury.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: It is necessary to go to the nearest hospital or health center in case of recurrence of severe, unabated pain, albeit taking a Nitroglycerin pill under the tongue.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: In case of severe allergy (with such symptoms as rashes covering the whole body and poor blood circulation), the patient should be directly taken to the emergency department of the nearest hospital to receive the needed medication.

  • Dear Diabetic Patient: For the prevention of the drop of blood sugar in cases of increased effort and movement, especially when performing the Hajj rites, it is advisable to eat a quantity of food conforming to the excessive effort prior to starting work.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: In case of the occurrence of an asthma, you have to directly head for the nearest dispensary to receive intensive treatment, often in the form of sprays or oxygen, in addition to intravenous injection.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: For the prevention of respiratory diseases, you should keep away from humid and polluted places and, as well as places with little exposure to sunlight. In addition, you have to clean your place of dust regularly and systematically, and try to keep at distance from people with cold.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: For the treatment of skin abrasion, you have to clean the affected area (of the body) with water, and without recourse to disinfectants which may cause skin irritation. It is advisable, also, to apply skin moisturizers (like Vaseline or talcum powder) to the areas prone to friction. In cases of severe abrasion, the patient must see a doctor as he might prescribe some medical creams.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: Symptoms of upper respiratory diseases include: congestion, nasal blockage, constant sneezing, headache, runny mucous and a rise in body temperature. So, you had better make sure that your suitcase contains medical first aid for such cases.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: Upper respiratory diseases are among the most common diseases during Hajj season. It is caused a virus (or several types of viruses) transmitted from one person to another.
  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: Among the causes of allergens are the usage of some drugs (like penicillin) or vaccines, eating some foods (such as eggs and fish), climate variability (like in shifting from winter to spring), sun exposure, touching certain chemicals and insect bites.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: For the treatment of eye dryness (ophthalmoxerosis), you had better avoid the use of contact lenses. Instead, you can use sunglasses and eye-washing collyriums after consulting your doctor.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: One of the digestive disorders that may suffer from is constipation. It can be described as difficult or less expulsion than normal.  So, be sure to eat foods containing fiber to help you in this case.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: Pulmonary inflammations are some of the most severe infections that affect people with chronic diseases or people with malnutrition and immunodeficiency, as well as some blood diseases. It should be noted that weather drastic and fast changes often play a direct role in the emergence of pulmonary inflammations as well.

  • Dear Diabetic Patient: For the prevention of the drop of blood sugar, it is advisable not to change the dose of insulin except under medical supervision.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: Patients have to abide by the instructions or alerts provided by doctors or pharmacists when buying the antibiotic, and ascertain how to take the medicine, as well the number of doses, the intervals between them, whether taken before or after eating, and the like.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: Are you aware that herbal medicines can interact with certain other drugs, resulting in a decrease or increase of the effect of such drugs and thus the occurrence of side effects? So, be cautious when using these drugs.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: Do not recommend your medicine for others, since such a medicine was exclusively prescribed depending on your own health problem, but it might be harmful for others.

  • Dear Hajjah: Are you aware that some antibiotics may reduce the effectiveness of contraceptives? It is advisable, consequently, to consult your doctor before using such antibiotics.

  • Dear Diabetic Patient: Diabetes leads to loss of pain sensation, due to the damage of the foot nerves, making it vulnerable to injuries and infections. Therefore, you have to pay close attention to cleaning and washing your feet with soap and water on a daily basis (especially between tows), and never neglect foot injuries, no matter how minor they are.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: For the purpose of time-saving, do not wait until your medicine runs out. Rather, you had better order new packages before the old are finished. This is especially important in the case of drugs taken on a daily basis.

  • Dear Diabetic Patient: It is necessary to measure blood sugar on a regular basis, as well as when you feel any of the symptoms of high or low blood sugar.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: In order to protect ointments against microbial contamination, do not make the tip comes into contact with any surface, nor the eye of course. After application, wipe the tip with a clean tissue, and make sure that the tube is securely sealed.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: Refrain from self-renewal of the prescription. There are patients using old recipes when re-infected with some previous symptoms, and this an erratic behavior, especially for some specific diseases, and to be even more specific: inflammatory diseases caused by microbial agents.

  • Dear Hajj Pilgrim: We wish your Hajj to be accepted, and your sins to be forgiven. May Allah confer health and well-being upon you!
Last Update : 31 October 2011 04:31 PM
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