20 MALAYSIAN PILGRIMS DIE IN HOLY LAND

From Ahmad Kamil Tahir

MECCA, Nov 30 (Bernama) -- Twenty Malaysian pilgrims died during the haj
season, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Maj Gen (B) Jamil Khir
Baharom Sunday.

Jamil Khir said that most deaths (16 men and four women, aged 50 and above)
were due to normal ailments such as old age, and not infectious diseases like
Influenza A (H1N1).

"This is a very small percentage when compared to the overall number of
26,000 Malaysian pilgrims who arrived here on Oct 20," he told the Tabung Haji
(Malaysia's Pilgrims Fund) media team here.

Meanwhile, Jamil Khir said, four pilgrims undergoing treatment at hospitals
here, could not be sent to Arafah on Thursday as they were heavily dependent on
breathing aid equipment.

However, he said over 20 patients being treated at the Tabung Haji Hospital
in Aziziah and Sisya, were taken to Arafah in an ambulance by the Pilgrims
Fund's medical personnel.

On the progress of Malaysian pilgrims here, he said they were still in Mina,
adding that many had completed the ritual of 'Stoning the Devil' at Jamrah and
would return to Mecca, in a day or two

Jamil Khir said that overall, the haj season this year went smoothly.
-- BERNAMA