THE shopkeepers in Medina have a peculiar way of sizing you up and welcoming you. 

“Nasi lemak! Rendang! Nasi kerabu!” a shop assistant shouted from a corner of a busy commercial section of the modern-looking city. 

His shop sells anything but food. 

And if everything else fails to woo the potential Malaysian customer, an assistant of a nearby shop yelled smilingly, “Mahathir Mohamad!” followed by a thumbs-up. 

But there’s one shop assistant who was quite insistent to the point of literally twisting your arm. I protested against such gesture and walked away, to which he grunted, “Malaysia sombong!”

These shopkeepers are used to having Malaysians walk pass or visit their shops before or after their prayers. They also brush up on their Malay language along the way.

Like many other pilgrims from other countries, many Malaysians visit this city before or after performing their haj or umrah primarily to pray at the Al-Masjid an-Nabawi or the Prophet’s Mosque. 

And once in the mosque built by the venerated Prophet Muhammad, it’s likely that they’d visit his tomb along with those of his companions and successors, that is, Abu Bakr and ‘Umar. It is also here that the visitors would send salutations upon the Prophet. 

There’s also a well-stocked library on the first floor of the mosque for those who are inclined to do research or just browse through reading materials, most of which are in Arabic. Students and researchers, among others, are seen patronising the library. 

A small section of the library displays religious books in other languages, such as English, French, Urdu, Bengali and Bahasa Indonesia. 

One of the larger mosques in the world, the Prophet’s Mosque can accommodate one million faithful during the haj season.

The giant high-tech umbrellas installed in the mosque provide shade against sun and rain for the worshippers praying in the courtyard. 

Water-sprinkled fans here provide the needed moisture, especially when the temperature reaches 50 degrees Celsius.

Friday prayers also attract thousands of worshippers – both men and women – to the mosque and its expansive courtyard.

Even on normal days, the huge mosque is often packed. 

Given the huge number of visitors into the city, it is unsurprising that hotels and other commercial establishments stand around the grand mosque.

This also means that the mosque is within walking distance from most hotels. And it also helps that most vehicles plying the neatly arranged streets of the city are pedestrian-friendly in that they are obliging enough to stop for pilgrims to cross the road. 

Like in Mecca, the faithful go to the mosque around the clock to express devotion to the Almighty. 

Another mosque in the outskirts of Medina is also a favourite among pilgrims. The Quba mosque was also built by the beloved Prophet. 

For most of us in the pilgrimage group, Medina serves as a soothing and pleasant stop prior to saying goodbye to the Holy Land. 

And for many of us, it is hoped that this spiritual trip won’t be the last. – September 10, 2018.