17-05-2025
Woman fulfils lifelong dream of returning to Makkah, dies during tawaf
JOHOR BARU: The long-held dream of Norizah Tambunan Nordin to return to the Holy Land was finally realised when she arrived in Makkah to perform the haj pilgrimage.
However, the 47-year-old assistant administrative officer from the Batu Pahat district office tragically passed away while performing tawaf at the Kaabah shortly after her arrival in the sacred city.
Norizah was part of the Johor government haj delegation that arrived in Makkah yesterday.
Johor Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid expressed his condolences and conveyed the state government's deepest sympathies to her family in a Facebook post.
"She was invited as a guest, and now she has been called back to her Creator, in ihram and in the most beautiful state, meeting her Maker," he said.
A close friend, who wished to be identified only as Aisyah, shared how Norizah had often prayed for the chance to set foot in Makkah again.
"Her death is one we envy, in the sense that she passed away on a blessed Friday morning in the Holy Land. May paradise be hers, dear friend," said Aisyah.
It is understood that Norizah began her tawaf at around 6.20am but appeared fatigued, pausing to rest several times before collapsing.
Her body has since been laid to rest at Sharayaa 64 cemetery in Makkah.
