Actor-couple Gauahar Khan and Zaid Darbar recently went for Umrah with their son Zehaan, whose face they revealed to the world for the first time. “We didn’t plan this. Right before we took our flight, we just said that this is the place where we would feel safe and spiritual to be able to share our child with the world.”

However, the protective mother insists that she doesn’t want their son to be in the spotlight. “It doesn’t mean that now, he is out there for the public,” says Khan, for whom going for Umrah as a parent was a completely different feeling.

“We reached Medina at iftar time. When we entered and proceeded towards the masjid, Zehaan was flapping his arms. It was so surreal and beautiful. If there was one place to reveal who Zehaan is, it was in front of the Kaaba. I was howling out of gratitude that God blessed me to be a mother.”

Having been to the pilgrimage before, Khan says taking Zehaan, who turns 1 on May 10, for Umrah meant added responsibility.

“I was on superwoman mode and my husband was on a superman mode,” shares Khan, adding that going for Umrah gives her a clarity like nothing else: “I asked for forgiveness and thanked God for every single blessing.”