RM500,000 NEEDED TO BRING HOME M'SIAN HAJ PILGRIM ASMAH  – MOHD NA’IM

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 12 (Bernama) -- About RM500,000 is needed to bring home Malaysian pilgrim Asmah Mansor, 71, who is currently receiving treatment at the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Saudi German Hospital in Makkah, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar.  

He said a donation drive for the purpose has been launched through the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia’s (JAKIM) Musa’adah Fund and the Malaysian Waqf Foundation, with around RM10,000 collected so far from Malaysians.  

“Alhamdulillah, as of today, we have collected nearly RM10,000. Based on information from medical specialists in Saudi Arabia and the Tabung Haji medical team, the estimated cost of bringing Hajah Asmah home is about RM500,000,” he told reporters after officiating the 2025 Fardu Ain (KAFA) Class for the Deaf  in Kuala Lumpur today.  

Mohd Na’im said he had the opportunity to visit Asmah at the hospital during his recent working visit to Saudi Arabia, and she had expressed her wish to return home.  

“Imagine, Makcik Asmah has been in a foreign country for almost four months, far from her family, and unable to communicate in Arabic. Only Tabung Haji officers visit her occasionally to give her encouragement,” he said.  

He therefore called on Malaysians to contribute and help bring Asmah home as an act of charity.  

“We want to give the public an opportunity to earn good deeds. This is a great charitable act, and Insya-Allah, the government will also assist,” he said.  

Yesterday, Mohd Na’im said the pilgrim had been diagnosed with pneumonia and has been receiving treatment at the Saudi German Hospital since Sept 13.  

He also said Asmah had completed her haj before being admitted to the hospital and remains under close medical supervision.

-- BERNAMA