Makkah: Another Malaysian haj pilgrim passed away yesterday, bringing the total number of deaths in the Holy Land to eight. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar confirmed that the eighth fatality involved a 65-year-old male pilgrim, Abd Yazid Matt, who died of a heart attack at Al Noor Specialist Hospital in Makkah.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Abd Yazid Matt, from Kangar, Perlis, arrived via KT100 and was staying at Maktab 82, Al Olayan Al Haram, Makkah. He passed away at approximately 11.22 pm. Mohd Na'im noted that the deceased had the opportunity to perform the wukuf in Arafah, indicating that his haj pilgrimage was completed.

Mohd Na'im shared this information with media personnel after visiting the accommodation tent for Malaysian haj pilgrims. The Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) has contacted the pilgrim's next of kin and will handle all matters related to the management of the body and the welfare of the deceased pilgrim.

The minister, along with the entire TH top management, extended their condolences to the family of the deceased. They prayed for his soul to be blessed and for his intentions in fulfilling the fifth pillar of Islam to be accepted.