Singaporean pilgrim killed in bus accident buried in Mecca, wife remains warded in hospital

SINGAPORE — Mr Mohammad Abu Bakar Osman, the 64-year-old Singaporean man killed in a bus accident in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, while carrying out his minor pilgrimage (umrah) was buried in the city on Friday (March 23).

His wife, Hajjah Fauziah Alias, 63, remains warded in hospital in Mecca, while another Singaporean victim has since been discharged, said the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) in a statement on Friday.

On Tuesday, Mr Abu Bakar, the director of family-run travel agency Abu Bakar Travel Services, was killed after a lorry crashed into the bus he was travelling in. Out of the 27 Singaporeans involved in the accident, two Singaporeans sustained “serious but not life threatening injuries”, said Muis.

“The rest of the pilgrims suffered from minor injuries and trauma. All are currently recovering and are looking forward to returning home,” said Muis.

Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim said on Friday that it was a “sad and tragic incident”. Dr Yaacob was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the launch of the development of the new campus of Madrasah Al-Arabiah Al-Islamiah.

“We lost a very good man...It’s a pity that it happened this way,” said Dr Yaacob.

The family of the deceased travelled to Mecca to witness his burial on Friday.

Dr Yaacob said he hoped the family would find closure, and that the authorities would do their best to “continue to support the family and other families affected” by the tragedy.

“We hope that the injured will be treated speedily, and they will recover speedily and they can come back,” he added.

Muis, which has been working closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to render assistance to the affected pilgrims and their families, thanked the various parties for their assistance. The group is expected to return home on Sunday.

“This has been a trying time for all affected, and we are grateful that so many parties have come together in close cooperation,” said Muis.

Dr Yaacob also announced on Friday that Saudi Arabian authorities have allocated 900 Haj places to Singapore, which is 100 more than the previous year. Muis said in a media statement that Singapore was given 680 Haj places annually between 2012 and 2016 due to extensive development and upgrading projects in the vicinity of Makkah’s Holy Mosque.

The Saudi authorities increased the quota to 800 last year after appeals from Singapore since 2012. Muis has contacted all eligible Haj registrants on the additional places available.