9:47pm Sunday 11th November 2007
By Jane Lavender
MUSLIMS are being urged to make sure they are protected against meningitis before making the pilgrimage to the Hajj.
Members of Bolton's Muslim community travelling to the religious event in Makkah, Saudi Arabia or the Hajj next month are being told to make sure they are vaccinated against the four strains of bacterial meningitis before travelling.
The Council of British Haji's (Pilgrims) are running a series of workshops this weekend with the Bolton Council of Mosques, Lancashire Council of Mosques and Bolton Primary Care Trust to drive home the message.
Dr Shahid Munshi, a GP at the Kearsley Medical Centre and member of the Bolton Council of Mosques health forum, said: "I am privileged to work with colleagues in the Bolton Council of Mosques and hope to forge strong links with the PCT and Council of British Haji. Each year 25,000 British pilgrims undertake the Hajj and it is paramount that the pilgrims remain both mentally and physically fit for what is a testing journey of oneself."
The Saudi Government requires visitors to have a valid certificate of vaccination against the infection before they are issued with a visa.
Travellers will need to be innoculated at least two weeks before leaving for Saudi Arabi in order for the vaccine to be effective.
Graham Munslow, health protection specialist for Bolton PCT, said: "Bolton PCT understands the risks faced by pilgrims to the Hajj and Umrah and to their families when they return.
"Prevention of diseases and protection against meningitis is of paramount importance and we are proud to be working with the Council of British Haji's and the Bolton Council of Mosques to drive home this message."
The workshops, which are free and open to all, will be held at the Zakariyya Central Mosque, Peace Street, Bolton, between 1pm and 4pm.
For more information call 0845 8334147, visit www.the-cbh.org.uk or email info@the-cbh.org.uk.
The CBH will also be holding an exhibition at the Bolton Museum from November 12 until December 21.
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