A 70-year-old Nigerian pilgrim from Nasarawa State, Hajiya Rukayya Haliru, has died in the Holy City of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, during the ongoing Hajj pilgrimage.
The death was confirmed on Wednesday by the Nasarawa State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board.
Pilgrim reportedly fell ill in Makkah
The Executive Secretary of the board, Mallam Idris Ahmad Almakura, disclosed that the deceased was from Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
According to him, the elderly pilgrim complained of illness before her death.
Almakura explained that medical personnel attached to the Nasarawa pilgrims’ contingent attended to her immediately after she reported feeling unwell.
“She complained of illness and despite medical efforts, she drew her last breath this morning,” he said.
Funeral rites conducted in Saudi Arabia
The board stated that officials, alongside family members of the deceased, were present at the hospital to oversee the necessary burial arrangements.
Her remains were later moved to the Grand Mosque in Makkah for the Janazah prayer, an important Islamic funeral rite for deceased Muslims.
The funeral prayers were attended by relatives, officials of the pilgrims’ welfare board, and fellow Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.
Pilgrims advised to prioritise health
Following the incident, Almakura urged other pilgrims to pay close attention to their health throughout the Hajj exercise.
He advised them to quickly report any signs of illness to the medical teams deployed by the board for immediate treatment.
The executive secretary also extended condolences to the Nasarawa State Government, the family of the deceased, and staff of the pilgrims’ welfare board.
In a separate reaction, a relative of the deceased, Abdulwab Aboki, appreciated the board for supporting the family and handling the burial process transparently.
