KUALA LUMPUR – A 72-year-old Malaysian male haj pilgrim died in Mecca on Friday due to a ruptured blood vessel.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar, confirmed this today.
He said Abnil Hajar Ismail from Jitra, Kedah, was pronounced dead by the hospital at about 10.30pm.
“We received the sad news of the first death among Malaysian haj pilgrims, involving a 72-year-old man, two days ago.
“The death was due to a ruptured blood vessel, and I take this opportunity to remind haj pilgrims to take care of their health. The weather is quite hot. So if possible, stay in the mosque or the hotel provided by Tabung Haji (TH),” he said.
He was speaking to reporters after a send-off ceremony for Malaysian pilgrims earlier.
TH will provide free “badal haji” (haj by proxy) services for Abnil Hajar and this has been communicated to his family, Na’im said.
“I personally contacted his next of kin, his son, to inform him that TH will provide badal haji services for his father,” he said.
Badal haji refers to performing the haj on behalf of someone who has died without completing it or for someone who is physically unable to perform it themselves.
Na’im also urged prospective haj pilgrims to concentrate entirely on their rituals and adhere to the regulations set by the Saudi Arabian government.
He said that haj operations managed by TH are running smoothly, with 16,000 Malaysian pilgrims having safely arrived in Medina and Mecca since the first flight on May 9.
“TH is always reminded to provide the best services to haj pilgrims.
“I advise the pilgrims who have arrived in the holy land and those who are about to depart to continually strengthen their knowledge related to haj rituals,” he said.
There are 100 special charter flights for the 1445H/2024 haj season, which began on May 9, with the final flight scheduled for June 9. – May 26, 2024