The Tunisian authorities have announced the suspension of this year's annual pilgrimage to the Saudi holy city of Mecca, the hajj, because vaccines against Mexican flu will not arrive in time. The vaccines ordered by Tunisia will not arrive until the end of the month, while this year's hajj will take place several weeks later.

Around 10,000 Tunisians usually participate in the hajj. Only 80 Tunisians have been infected with the A(H1N1) virus so far and none have died. Saudi Arabia has been hit harder by the virus. Around 9,000 people have come down with the virus, of whom 35 have died.

The Kaaba in Mecca. Islam's most holy site.
Photo by Ammar Abd Rabbo (flickr)