Ali Shahalom

Our hotel stood in the shadow of Masjid al-Nabawi.

I would literally be sleeping next to the second holiest site in Islam.

I'm used to sleeping next to three broken chargers, so this was a massive upgrade.

The reward for praying in Masjid al-Nabawi is equal to a thousand prayers.

So me and my family wanted to maximize our short time here by gaining as many heaven points as we can.

There were moments when tears would just gush down my face.

And let me tell you, bro, I'm not a crier.

The only time I cry is when Bangladesh lose in cricket.

To be fair, they do lose quite a bit.

Point being, this was all very emotional stuff.

And the maddest part?

This was just the beginning.

We spend the next few days in Medina, praying and absorbing the sights.

Medina has this calm serenity, unlike anything I've experienced before.

It feels like a home for your heart, which is probably how middle-class white people feel about John Lewis.

This stage of our journey ends with the final preparations for Hajj.

Me and Dad each wrap ourselves in two pieces of white cloth known as ihram, which looks and feels like two soft towels.

One for your upper body, one for your lower body.

At a glance, you'd think we're heading to a sauna.

We weren't, but outside did feel like one.