A 58-year-old female pilgrim from Kano State, Hadiza Ismai’l, died while performing Hajj in Saudi Arabia, reports say.
Hajj in Islam is the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, which every adult Muslim must make at least once in a lifetime. The Hajj is the fifth of the fundamental Muslim practices and institutions known as the Five Pillars of Islam.
Hadiza was said to have been down with a fever when she was rushed to NAHCON hospital for treatment and later transferred to King Abdulaziz Hospital, Mecca, where she was certified dead.
She had since been buried in Mecca after a funeral prayer in the Ka’aba Mosque.
The Director-General, Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Rabiu Danbappa, on Wednessday in a statement while confirming the sad story, condoled with the family of the deceased on behalf of the state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf.
The statement reads, “The 58-year-old woman was taken to NAHCON hospital for treatment of fever before she was transferred to King Abdulaziz Hospital, Makka, where she was certified dead.
“She has since been buried in Makka after a funeral prayer in Ka’aba Mosque.
“The Director General of Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Laminu Rabiu Danbappa confirmed the sad story.
“Danbappa condoled the family of the deceased on behalf of the Kano state governor and prayed to Almighty Allah to grant her eternal rest and for the family the fortitude to bear the loss,” the statement added.
Recall that it was reported that not lesser than 14 Nigerians died while in Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, head of the Nigerian medical team for the pilgrimage, Dr Usman Galadima, said seven pilgrims died during the pre-Arafat period.
He listed the casualties to include: Plateau (1), Kaduna (2), Osun (2), Borno (1), Yobe (1), FCT (1), Benue (1) and Lagos (1), while private tour operators recorded three deaths.
Galadima said during the Muna-Arafat period, four pilgrims died at Arafat and two at Mina.
