AS the nation busies itself with buying new outfits and preparing for Aidilfitri, Noraidah Lamat faces a sorrow no parent should endure, grieving for her late daughter, Zara Qairina Mahathir.
“While others were busy purchasing Raya clothes, yesterday I felt compelled to look at the outfits Mama and Zara had bought back in June 2025 for Raya 2026… I had been keeping Zara’s clothes in a box all this time,” the 45-year-old mother shared on Facebook.
Looking at the four sets of clothes, she said, “My chest feels heavy. Allah did not allow Mama to celebrate Raya with Zara.”
Noraidah explained that Zara would typically have at least five outfits bought well in advance for the festive season, making the sight of unworn garments all the more poignant.
“Her Raya clothes were ready, yet the person meant to wear them has returned to the Almighty,” she reflected.
As a mark of mourning, she has chosen the colour black for this year’s celebrations. She also expressed hope that the forthcoming inquest, resuming on 31 March, will proceed smoothly and justice will be served.
In her message to the public, Noraidah urged everyone to continue reading Surah Yasin, performing daily hajat prayers, and keeping Zara in their supplications.
Zara, aged 13 at the time, was found unresponsive on the lower floor of her dormitory at SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha on 16 July last year and passed away the following day.
The inquest, which began in September last year, will resume at the end of this month. On 3 February, the 60th day of proceedings, 64 witnesses gave testimony before Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan. - March 4, 2026
