Hajj: Kumasi-based Woman among Dead Ghanaian Pilgrims

One of the Ghanaians who have died in Saudi Arabia in the quest to fulfil the Hajj pillar, has been confirmed to be a woman from Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.

Reporting from the Middle East country, Yussif Abdul Ganiyu confirmed to opemsuo.com that three persons have died as of June 14 afternoon, two of whom went on the trip with Hajj Visas.

The other, the Kumasi-based woman, is said to have travelled for the pilgrim with a tourist visa- the reason she was not counted among the deceased by the Ghana Hajj Board during the announcement.

Identified as Ajara Abdul Rahman, she was the first to have died on June 7 while being transported to a hospital.

Meanwhile, the remaining two- a male and a female- died while receiving medical attention at a medical facility in the country on Sunday, June 9, 2024, and on Wednesday, June 12, 2024.

“They all came with illness,” Mr Ganiyu confirmed.

They have since been buried in accordance with Islamic traditions.

According to the teachings of Islam, persons who die while on the pilgrimage make it to heaven even if they fail to complete journey. This is because their burial prayers are performed by over a million people led by pious clergymen.

“They are taken to the Kaba. It is believed that those praying are pious and their prayer are readily accepted. Allah says those who are prayed for there have the privilege of going to heaven.”

“For those who couldn’t complete the pilgrimage, Allah will complete it for them. It is believed they are resting in heaven,” he added as he said many pray to die on the pilgrim.

However, he noted that anyone who commits suicide will go straight to hell, citing Islamic teachings.

The pilgrims today entered Mina and will be exiting today.

These Muslims will bring their pilgrimage to an end on Sunday, June 16, marking the Eid-ul-Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice. This event commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismail, as commanded by God.