MAKKAH: This was his first visit to the Kingdom, thanks to a short-time research assignment with the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, but Prof. Muhammad Zain Khan performed Umrah three times and plans to do once more before he leaves for India in a few days.

“An explicable feeling of serenity and peace was there when I stood before the Holy Kaaba, as also in the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, which is really not possible to express in words,” said Khan, who is assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry at Aligarh Muslim University, India.

Khan was awe-struck by the gigantic expansion of the holy mosques. He found the Prophet’s Mosque to be more spacious.

He praised the Saudi leadership for managing such a huge gathering on a daily basis.

“It is understandable when the authorities get a little tough because they have to ensure a smooth administration at the two holy mosques.”

Khan praised the hospitality of the people, which was manifest in Madinah at the time of iftar. “Even children would rush to me with iftar, which really made me emotional.”

The professor said he planned to come next year with his mother to perform Haj.