Minister V Abdu Rahiman: 12 Hajj pilgrims from Kerala die due to extreme heat and poor treatment

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister V Abdu Rahiman informed that out of 18,200 Hajj pilgrims from Kerala, 12 have died due to extreme heat and poor treatment by the authorities. They are from Kozhikode, Malappuram and Kannur districts.

They had to wait up to 17 hours on the road to go to Arafa. Many arrived very late for the ritual stoning ceremony. Hundreds of people sought treatment in hospitals due to physical discomfort.

Abdu Rahiman has written to the Ministers of Minority Affairs and Foreign Affairs and the Consulate General in Jeddah seeking the intervention of the central government to resolve the problems faced by Hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.

The pilgrims faced great difficulties this time. The reason is the negligence of the various Muttawifs (representatives of the agency appointed by the Saudi government) who look after the duties of the Hajis. From the Jeddah airport, pilgrims had to wait for hours to get to Assisi, which is 30 kilometers away. Poor accommodation was provided. Those arriving on the same flight were accommodated in different quarters.

The vehicle was available after waiting for more than 15 hours for those who returned to Minai to perform their duties. There were no tents or other accommodation available in Mina. There are people who do not have food and water.

Complaints are widespread that the Central Government and the Central Hajj Committee did not intervene effectively. Do not repeat the misery in the coming years. The minister also demanded that the Center reach an agreement with the Saudi government for this.

The news agency AFP reported that more than a thousand deaths occurred during the Hajj pilgrimage. Mostly Egyptians. It is reported that 90 Indians died. The temperature in Saudi Arabia was up to 55 degrees in the last few days.