ON May 17 this year, Muhammad Hawari Hashim, a 33-year-old from Penang, etched his name in history when he achieved a remarkable feat that few hearing-impaired individuals have ever accomplished: he conquered Mount Everest, the tallest peak on Earth, standing at a staggering elevation of 8,849m above sea level.
Muhammad Hawari embarked on this extraordinary journey as a member of an expedition organised by the Altitude Exploration Club, known locally as Kelab Eksplorasi Altitud, with the invaluable support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The expedition was under the able leadership of Azim Afif Ishak, the Chief of the Expedition to Mount Everest, with the assistance of dedicated sherpas specially hired for this challenging endeavour.
All appeared to be proceeding smoothly until the final ascent to the summit. Tragically, on May 19, Muhammad Hawari went missing while the expedition was in progress, and Kedah Malaysian Civil Defence Force director Lt Col Awang Askandar Ampuan Yaacub tragically passed away.
The disappearance of Muhammad Hawari prompted Azim to immediately report the situation to the authorities via radio communication.
Swiftly, the Nepalese authorities were alerted, and a search and rescue (SAR) operation was launched.
Both ground and aerial SAR missions were carried out with utmost dedication and determination.
Despite these relentless efforts, no trace of Hawari was found.
On Sept 14, a Yasin recitation session was held in honour of Muhammad Hawari, with the hope that he might be safe or resting in a more peaceful place.
The solemn event took place at the Penang State Art Gallery in Dewan Sri Pinang.
Among the dignitaries in attendance were Penang State Museum and Art Gallery director Haryany Mohamad, state Communications Division director Yap Lee Ying, Penang State Sports Council Harry Chai, Kedah State Museum director Suhaidi Shukri, and former Penang executive council member Yeoh Soon Hin.
The event commenced with the arrival of Muhammad Hawari’s grieving family and his colleagues from the museum who had formed a close bond with him.
It was followed by a heartfelt recitation of the Yasin.
In a touching tribute to Muhammad Hawari, Haryany expressed her heartfelt wishes for his well-being, wherever he might be.
Azim, in addition to his leadership role, shared poignant memories of his final moments with Muhammad Hawari during the challenging climb to the summit.
“I was directly involved in the SAR operations to bring Muhammad Hawari home.
“We are very thankful to the Federal and state governments, as well as to the Nepalese government for allowing the SAR efforts to continue beyond our permit expiration,” he said.
Unfortunately, adverse weather conditions at Mount Everest had hindered the ongoing SAR efforts.
Nevertheless, Azim remains hopeful that the SAR operations can resume in the spring of next year, holding out hope that Muhammad Hawari will be found.
The ceremony drew to a close with a touching moment as Muhammad Hawari’s wife, Safiyyah Tang Xie Li, received a donation from Haryany, reflecting the enduring support and compassion of the community during this difficult time.
Story and pix by Norman Sim
