Actor Aly Goni recently performed Umrah in Mecca (Saudi Arabia) to mark the holy month of Ramadan. Expressing gratitude derived from the pilgrimage, he shares, “Even last year, I went for Umrah during Ramadan. That was my first visit. Maine neeyat maangi thi ki main har saal aa paaun. Iss saal bulaava tha so I went again. Obviously, it’s more special to perform Umrah during Ramadan. The prophet said that if you do Umrah during this holy month, it’s like doing Hajj.”

For Goni, the pilgrimage was not just a religious duty, but also a transformative experience. “It’s a totally different experience, har insaan nahin jaa paata hai wahan par. Since childhood, everyone dreams of going there. But you realise the importance of it once you grow up. When a person goes there, they get a reality check and there is a power that makes you feel good,” the 33-year-old says.

He continues, “When I first laid my eyes on the Kaaba [last year], mera rona hi nahin ruk raha tha and iss saal bhi similar feeling thi. Aisa lag hi nahin raha tha ki main second time aa raha hoon. I felt the same excitement. I am planning to go again next year with my mum and dad, inshallah.”