MAKKAH: There were many people who were not able to celebrate their Eid with their families due to their health conditions. They were lying in hospital beds and missed the happy moments with their families. Arab News interviewed several patients at Al-Nur Specialist Hospital at Makkah.

Mutwali Abdul Gaffour, a 50-year-old Egyptian who came to perform Umrah this Ramadan, fell unconscious at the Grand Mosque and suffered a back injury. His condition was critical.

Abdul Gaffour has undergone surgery and must stay in hospital to convalesce.

“I watched Eid prayer on TV,” he said. “I don’t know when I will be able to leave the hospital.”

Abdul Rahman Hamdan, an elderly man who claims to be 114 years old, broke his leg in a fall at the Grand Mosque. His son Hamid visited him at the hospital.

“My father really wanted to perform Eid prayer at the Grand Mosque, but he failed to realize his dream,” said Hamid.

Abdu Ka’aid, 33, was fleeing the authorities, as he did not hold a valid iqama, when he fell in a hole. “I have not been able to move since then,” he said.

Ka’aid was admitted to a local hospital and was diagnosed with a broken right leg. “I bought my new Eid clothes and sandals that I planned to put on before going to the Eid prayer, but I failed to make it due to my health condition.”

Abdul Jalil, a 33-year-old Bangladeshi truck driver, met with an accident.

“After examining me, doctors said I had multiple fractures in my limbs,” he said.

Muhammad Hossi, a 43-year-old Yemeni who came to fast and pray at the Grand Mosque during Ramadan, suffered from an aching foot. He went to a local hospital and the doctor he consulted informed him that the severe pain he was suffering was due to infection to wounds from a previous surgery.

“I wanted to gain maximum reward by fasting and praying in Ramadan, and enjoy Eid with our brothers at the Grand Mosque, but it was all in vain,” said Hossi.

Dr. Hatim Al-Amri, a doctor at Al-Nur Hospital, said that the hospital staff organize Eid celebrations for patients, which include handing out gifts, flowers and candies.

“The Friends of Patients and other charity organizations also come to greet patients during Eid,” he said.

“We relax restrictions on visiting hours so that families and friends can visit patients at the hospital,” Al-Amri said, adding that families can visit patients from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. and children are also permitted.