Makkah crane tragedy: Five Malaysian pilgrims laid to rest

The five Malaysian haj pilgrims who were killed in the crane-collapse tragedy last Friday were laid to rest here after the Subuh prayer today.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said the remains of the victims were brought from Muaissem mortuary in Mina to the Grand Mosque for prayers.

"They were laid to rest at the Syara'ik cemetery," he told reporters today.

The five Malaysian pilgrims killed in the tragedy, which also claimed over 100 more lives, were Rusiah Suar, 56, of Sungkai, Perak; Siti Nurolshlizan Zolkifli, 37, of Tanah Merah, Kelantan; Rohana Ismail, 54, of Kuala Krai, Kelantan; Munah Jusoh, 73, of Cherang Ruku, Kelantan; and Zainun Taha, 69, of Ampang, Selangor.

Tabung Haji (TH), with cooperation of South-east Asia Muassasah, is trying to locate two other missing Malaysian pilgrims, namely Abdul Habib Lahman, 68, of Sik, Kedah and Shahidan Saad, 52, of Kodiang, Kedah.

Jamil Khir, who arrived here yesterday with TH chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, said TH was also in the midst of searching for clues at Muaissem mortuary in Mina, near the Grand Mosque, hotels and hospitals around Makkah.

Meanwhile, Shahidan's wife, Maziatunazwa Bindi@Ibrahim, 46, said the last time they met was on Friday at Maktab 89 at the Abraj Al-Janadriah building, after he returned from Friday prayers.

"In the afternoon, he went back to the mosque. I accept everything as fate," said the housewife to the laboratory assistant.

Meanwhile, Mohd Zainol Ramli, 54, the roommate of Shahidan and Abdul Habib, said he did not join them on that fateful Friday as he had to accompany his wife.

"Pak Long (Abdul Habib) was from my village in Sik, Kedah. We came on the same flight on Sept 17. The three of us often go to the mosque together, but not on the day of the tragedy," he added.