Now here’s an anti-swine flu measure unique to Saudi Arabia: the provision of sterilized stones to be used in the ritual stoning of the devil as part of Haj. Of course, no other country needs to do this as Haj is unique to the Kingdom, but it is still a bit of an eye-opener at first glance. It does, however, make perfect sense. At the very least, it will stop people from picking up stones that have been handled by an unknown number of strangers.

Saudi Gazette reports:

Millions of pilgrims to receive sterilized stones for Jamarat
Diana Marwan Al-Jassem

MAKKAH – During this year’s Haj, the government will distribute millions of bags of sterilized small stones to all pilgrims as part of the ritual stoning at the Jamarat.

The plan has been initiated by King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, who believes that this will ease the Haj for pilgrims and help to contain the spread of swine flu.

Makkah’s municipality has set up 37 centers for distributing the small stones in Muzdalifah and the surrounding areas.
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