Kuala lumpur: About RM500,000 is needed to bring home Malaysian pilgrim Asmah Mansor, 71, currently receiving treatment at the intensive care unit of the Saudi German Hospital in Makkah, confirmed Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar. A donation drive has been initiated to gather the necessary funds.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the donation initiative is being conducted through the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia's (JAKIM) Musa'adah Fund and the Malaysian Waqf Foundation, with approximately RM10,000 collected from Malaysians so far. "Alhamdulillah, as of today, we have collected nearly RM10,000. Based on information from medical specialists in Saudi Arabia and the Tabung Haji medical team, the estimated cost of bringing Hajah Asmah home is about RM500,000," Mohd Na'im stated during an event in Kuala Lumpur.

Mohd Na'im mentioned he recently visited Asmah in the hospital during a working trip to Saudi Arabia, where she expressed her desire to return home. "Imagine, Makcik Asmah has been in a foreign country for almost four months, far from her family, and unable to communicate in Arabic. Only Tabung Haji officers visit her occasionally to give her encouragement," he shared.

He urged Malaysians to contribute towards this cause, highlighting it as an opportunity for public charity. "We want to give the public an opportunity to earn good deeds. This is a great charitable act, and Insya-Allah, the government will also assist," Mohd Na'im added.

Yesterday, Mohd Na'im revealed that Asmah had been diagnosed with pneumonia and has been under medical treatment at the hospital since September 13. He also noted that Asmah had completed her haj prior to her hospitalization and remains under close medical care.