A Mysterious Return: The Story of Hajia Fatima Kassim
When Hajia Fatima Kassim unexpectedly appeared at her home in Madina, Libya Quarters on Tuesday, the family was shocked. The event took place after the Islamic funeral for her had already been held, leaving some family members convinced they had encountered a ghost.
Hajia Fatima had traveled to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj, but upon arriving in Jeddah to catch a flight back home, she fell ill and was admitted to a hospital for treatment. Unfortunately, due to a mix-up, her family was informed that she had passed away, and a death certificate was issued. This led to the preparation of the funeral rites, which were conducted before her return.
A Family’s Shocking Encounter
Hajia Kankani, Hajia Fatima’s sister, described the moment she saw her. “It was around 2pm when during a conversation with a sister who had come to me, someone opened the door and stood in front of me. I asked, ‘Who are you?’ and she said, ‘It is me Hajia Fati.’ I said no, she wasn’t the one, and she said she is the one. When I asked where she was coming from, she said ‘Mecca.’ I tried to run away but there was nowhere to run to. I suffered an immediate headache. I told her she could be coming from Togo, but she said Mecca. I hugged her and discovered that truly she was Hajia Fati.”
This unexpected return left the family in disbelief, as they had already accepted the news of her passing.
Blaming the System
Hajia Fatima’s brother-in-law, Alhaji Nasiru, expressed frustration over the situation. He explained that the announcement of her death led to the organization of prayers for her soul. “Word reached us that she had passed on and a death certificate to that effect provided to us. We informed family members and prayers for the dead were organised. I would blame the agent and the Hajj Taskforce for the mix-up. When she was taken to hospital when she collapsed, an official should have done a follow-up,” he stated.
He also mentioned that there may not be a formal ritual to reverse the prayers offered for her soul. “All we shall do is inform those who presided over the prayers to pray for her since after all she is alive, and that is all.”
The Role of the Travel Agency
Alhaji Ali, a staff member of Al Balad Travel and Tours, confirmed that Hajia Fatima was indeed their passenger. However, he denied claims that he had taken her to the hospital and abandoned her.
According to him, Hajia Fatima’s sister, Muiba Kassim, had previously sent some dresses to be given to her. In Jeddah, they had completed all departure formalities when they were informed that Hajia Fatima was feeling unwell and had collapsed. “It was not possible to return to her having completed departure formalities. I however called some of our people to inform them about the condition of the lady. I called Alhaji Hamza, Alhaji Ridwa so that they would ensure all went well.”
Upon arrival in Accra, her daughter and Muiba Kassim both inquired about her condition. Alhaji Garba, CEO of Al Balad, asked whether the woman had passed on, and Alhaji Ali responded that he was not aware. He also shared passport details with those on the ground to verify her identity.
Resolving the Confusion
After many days, the family has come to accept that their mother and sister is alive. The confusion surrounding her return highlights a potential paperwork mix-up. A document from the Consul-General’s Office in Jeddah mentions the death of Hajia Fatima Kassim with passport number G5347562 on June 25 in Jeddah, requesting the release of the body for burial.
Despite the confusion, officials from the Hajj Taskforce reportedly visited the family in Madina, though details of their engagement were not made public. The incident has raised questions about the procedures involved in handling such situations, especially for pilgrims traveling abroad.
Moving Forward
The story of Hajia Fatima Kassim serves as a reminder of the importance of accurate communication and proper documentation, particularly in high-stakes scenarios like international travel and religious pilgrimages. While the family now knows the truth, the experience has left lasting impressions on them, reinforcing the value of clarity and accountability in such critical processes.
