Maranao pilgrim dies in Mecca

ILIGAN CITY—A 57-year old female pilgrim died around 11 a.m. Friday, July 19, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Dimapuno Alonto Datu-Ramos Jr., public relations and information head of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), identified the pilgrim as Sarapia Abalimbona Taha who hails from Lumbayanague, Lanao del Sur.

Citing information from the head of the Hajj medical team, Dr. Abdulnasser Masorong Jr., Datu-Ramos said Taha collapsed while entering the Masjid al-Haraam, a pilgrimage site during Hajj, just before the Jumaah, a congregational Friday prayer.

“The cause of death is most likely myocardial infarction (heart attack). The remains are now in the morgue of Al Noor Hospital, awaiting the processing of papers,” Datu-Ramos added.

According to Ramos, Taha’s relatives were already informed of her demise.

Last year, some eight pilgrims, mostly in their senior years, died while performing the Hajj.

This year, some 7,325 Filipino pilgrims are participating in the Hajj, an obligation that every Muslim must do at least once in their lifetime.