Swine flu, economic downturn overshadow Ramadan (business in holy sites worst in years)

AFP ^ | 08/22/09 | Paul Handley

[TigerLikesRooster]

Swine flu, economic downturn overshadow Ramadan

by Paul Handley

1 hr 57 mins ago

RIYADH (AFP) – Muslims entered the fasting and feasting month of Ramadan on Saturday with swine flu and the economic downturn adding to the security fears that plague several Islamic countries in dampening the mood.

The threat from the A(H1N1) virus prompted a string of governments to bar their citizens from making the pilgrimage to the holy places in Saudi Arabia traditionally made by many Muslims during Ramadan, while financial worries forced many families to cut back on their holiday spending.

In the Saudi cities of Mecca and Medina, which normally do a brisk trade from pilgrims during Ramadan, businesses were braced for their worst holy month in years.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Swine flu and Hajj, the bad combination.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Ping!

[BenLurkin]

Shoulds stuck with its real name — “Mexican flu”.

[GnuHere]

Ramadan bailout!!

[TigerLikesRooster]

Ramadan conjures up the image of kids yakking and eating their snacks under their blanket away from parents' watch.

Apparently, now they can finish whole series of block buster movies, Bourne's, Terminator's, StarWars', Matrix's, and Harry Potter's.

[jimbo123]

Martyrs-R-Us in Meccca is in markdown mode: Suicide nail vests are now 75% off. Infidel beheading knifes are now BuyOne-GetOne Free.

[TigerLikesRooster]

And free blade sharpening for two years.:-)

[freeangel]

Not bad enough