No poisoning among Algerian pilgrims, says minister

Religious affairs minister Bouabdallah Ghlmallah said Algerian pilgrims were not hit by poisoning in the holy places in Saudi Arabia, in response to rumors about polluted water behind the alleged poisoning.

“The Algerian pilgrims are doing well and they are in good conditions compared to previous years,” Ghoulamallah told Echorouk on the phone.
“They do not complain of anything. A sample of water they drunk was analyzed by a laboratory and nothing was wrong with it. There were no more than rumors meant to spoil the pilgrimage season,” he added.
General Director of Hadj and Omra Office Cheikh Barbara said an enquiry was opened into the case of polluted water to know who was behind the rumors.
“The Algerian pilgrims are in good health conditions and there are only six of them remaining in hospital,” he told Echorouk.
He added that the Algerian Hadj delegation will not deal anymore with Saudi authorities in charge of camp No 96 as they let non Algerian pilgrims enter the camp.
“Saudi authorities lost control over the camp. Because of that, we terminated the contract with them.”