A 52-year-old man, Salihu Byezhe, tragically lost his life after collapsing during Subhi (early morning) prayers at a mosque in Gudaba village, Kuje Area Council, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The shocking incident, which occurred on Thursday, March 6, 2025, has sparked concerns over undiagnosed or poorly managed health conditions, particularly high blood pressure, among fasting Muslims.
Eyewitnesses, including a resident named Musa Dantani, revealed that Byezhe had just finished eating Sahur (pre-dawn meal) before performing ablution and heading to the mosque for prayers. However, as the congregation engaged in worship, he suddenly slumped.
Worshippers rushed to his aid and transported him to a hospital in Kuje, but he was pronounced dead upon arrival. The attending doctor reportedly attributed his death to high blood pressure, raising questions about whether fasting might have played a role in his condition worsening.
Disturbingly, his son was also present in the mosque and had to witness the tragic collapse of his father.
The death of Byezhe, who was allegedly a known hypertension patient, has ignited debates on whether those with preexisting medical conditions should be exempted from fasting or whether better health screenings should be encouraged within religious communities.
His body was laid to rest at 10:12 am the same day, following Islamic burial rites.
This incident serves as a chilling reminder of the silent health risks many individuals face, especially during religious observances. Should more be done to prevent such deaths, or is this simply a case of fate?
