A 68-year-old Turkish imam, Abdullah Ozkan, has died after collapsing while leading prayers at an airport shortly before travelling to Saudi Arabia for the Umrah pilgrimage. Ozkan, a retired imam from the Beysehir district of Konya, was among approximately 180 pilgrims scheduled to depart for Makkah on Friday, November 6.
He had already dressed in the traditional white Ihram garments worn by Muslim pilgrims before joining the group at Konya Airport.
A video of the incident, which has circulated online, captured Ozkan leading a farewell prayer alongside other pilgrims before suddenly collapsing as he moved into prostration. Those present immediately rushed to help him.
According to Turkish news agency Anadolu, the pilgrims had gathered at around 2am after completing their travel arrangements. Ozkan led the prayer before reciting the Talbiyah and sending blessings upon Prophet Mohammed.
However, his voice reportedly began to weaken during the concluding supplications before he fell forward. Airport medical personnel quickly attended to him and administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in an attempt to revive him.
He was later rushed by ambulance to Selcuk University Medical Faculty Hospital, where he was pronounced dead despite medical efforts.
Turkish media reports suggested that Ozkan suffered a heart attack, although an official cause of death was not immediately confirmed.
Speaking to Anadolu, Ismail Gumus, a colleague who had worked with the deceased for approximately 15 years, said Ozkan had shown no signs of illness before the incident.
Gumus, who witnessed the collapse, explained that the retired imam’s voice became noticeably weaker while he was reciting the final blessings before he suddenly fell forward.
Following his death, Ozkan was laid to rest at Beysehir Cemetery on Friday after funeral prayers were held at Carsi Mosque in the district.
Many react as 68-year-old Turkish Imam dies, see below;
ashfaq_its_me wrote; “Most beautiful death.”
imbilalab added; “wish i will die like this.”
arabianknight027 noted; “SubhanAllah.. the last words he recited and went into prostration.. on the day of resurrection he will be lifted the same way.. subhanAllah..”
asifjakhate reacted; “Inna Lillahi Wa Ilahi Rajioun. What a beautiful death🥹 sending salam to Nabi Karim PBUH ❤️.”
im_zeeshan27 shared; “Dream death 😍 SubhanAllah may Allah grant us all such a peaceful and blessed passing.”
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