US professor memorizes part of Qur’an in Jeddah

JEDDAH: An American academic recently traveled all the way from Virginia to Al-Thanian Al-Masani Mosque here so that he could start the process of memorizing the Qur’an.
Omar Khashmoon, a 53-year-old dermatologist, said that he wanted to learn more about the Qur’an after spending many years studying medicine and working at New York and Maryland University in the United States, according to a report in a local publication on Wednesday.
He decided on sessions at Al-Thanian Al-Masani Mosque, which is affiliated to the Khairokom Society in Jeddah, after receiving advice from his nephew Ayman, who is an imam in Maryland and had memorized the Qur’an at this house of worship in the Kingdom. He said he was following the injunction of the Prophet (peace be upon him) who said: “The best of you are those who learn and teach Qur’an.”
Khashmoon said he used his annual leave from his time as visiting professor at King Saud University in Riyadh to learn parts of the holy book in Jeddah. “I have memorized certain chapters and pray Allah helps me to memorize all of it,” he said.
He said there were many Qur’an teaching centers in Virginia, but it was much better in the Kingdom because of the spirituality of the place. Muslims in Virginia enjoy Ramadan, attending taraweeh prayers and reciting the Qur’an, which has a soothing effect on them, he said.