K-pop singer Daud Kim performs pilgrimage on his first trip to Islam’s holiest cities

South Korean pop singer Daud Kim has posted a picture of himself standing in front of the Holy Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah.

The star took to Instagram to share pictures of the Two Grand Mosques in Makkah and Madinah during his visit to the kingdom during Ramadan.

He posted a picture of himself in a ihram, the garments worn to perform Umrah by men, and wrote: “I am the luckiest person because Allah (SWT) has chosen me and Allah has brought me here. Thanks to Allah to give me the chance to come to the Holiest city in the world.”

Daud also posted pictures of himself in Madinah, at the Prophet’s Mosque last week, wishing his followers “Ramadan Mubarak”.

Formerly known as Jay Kim, Daud changed him name when he converted to Islam, which he announced on his YouTube channel in 2019.

On Friday, he posted several videos and pictures of him breaking his fast with locals in Jeddah on his Instagram stories. He said it was the best iftar of his life and that he loved the act of breaking fast together as “one family”.

On Thursday evening, Daud wrote on his Instagram that he felt attacked by people on social media for choosing another faith but that “ironically” makes his “beliefs stronger” and that he will “never give up”.

He revealed that his trip to Indonesia a few years ago inspired curiosity in him to learn about Islam when he met “kind Muslims” and veiled Muslim women who helped shatter the stereotype of oppression attached to the hijab.

“I fasted a whole month of Ramadan. I learned about the life of Prophet (PBUH) and gathered everything little by little,” he said.

On accepting Islam, Daud said: “I finally knew that Allah is the purpose of my journey. Islam is the greatest blessing and the greatest gift of my life.”