A Muslim convert has spoken of his experience as he travelled to Mecca to perform Umrah for the very first time.
Dawud David Lynas, who converted to Islam 19 years ago, has shared his joy after embarking on the optional pilgrimage.
"I did our Umrah! Wow it was absolutely out of this world. No words can describe how you feel when you see the Kaaba.
"The feeling, the experience is immense. "Something took me over, I had no control over my feelings over my whole being.
"My heart poured out when we got close to the Kaaba."
Dawud recently launched Dewsbury New Muslims, a support network for new converts.
The support network was set up to provide the kind of support for new Muslims that isn’t always available in mosques, a safe space for converts to talk about issues affecting their personal lives without repercussion.
Dawud said as a convert he was made to feel very welcome in Mecca.
"The locals are very welcoming. Everyone I met has been overjoyed when they heard that I am a convert to Islam."
Mecca is the holiest meeting site in Islam.
Last year Saudi Arabia issued over 6.28 million visas for Umrah pilgrims.
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