The Ghanaian Minaret

Accra: Hajia Fatimatu Kassim, a Ghanaian Hajj pilgrim believed to be dead and buried in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia while performing Hajj, has made a shocking return home.

The residents of Madina in Accra were put in a panic mood when they saw the pilgrim alight from a taxi cab on Wednesday afternoon.

Apparently, the Ghana Hajj taskforce had declared her dead and buried in Saudi Arabia and also presented to her family her personal belongings and her death certificate issued by Ghana’s consulate in Saudi Arabia.

Salat Janaza (funeral prayer) in absentia was subsequently held for the pilgrim, among other Muslim funeral rites.

Mariam Hakim, a neighbour of the Pilgrim, said in an interview that they had to affirm if she was truly alive by confronting her and asking her questions.

Members of the Ghana Hajj Taskforce visited the residence of the pilgrim and held a closed-door meeting with family members over the bizarre issue.

In an interview, Iddi Sumaila, the administrator, explained that the Ghanaian pilgrim was mistaken for another pilgrim who embarked on Hajj with a tourist visa.

“The one with the tourist visa passed on, and we mistakenly gave it to this one,” he said.

Muniratu Mohammed, a daughter of the Pilgrim, said despite the unfortunate situation of mistaken identity, they give praise to Allah for her safe return, adding that “it is the will of Allah.”