(MENAFN- Arab News) Indian pilgrim and educationist has called on Saudi authorities to keep a buffer zone between hotels shops and residential buildings and the Grand Mosque in Makkah.'This will make the Grand Mosque stand out from other buildings and reduce congestion in the immediate surrounding area" said Kunnampally Abubakr who came to the Kingdom recently with his wife Jameela to perform Umrah.Speaking to Arab News he also urged the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) to exert greater efforts to preserve the country's Islamic heritage in Makkah Madinah and other places.Abubakr who worked in Saudi Arabia for 31 years highlighted the remarkable progress achieved by the Kingdom in different sectors especially in the field of higher education.He praised Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for setting the stage for the Kingdom's educational renaissance. 'King Abdullah deserves special praise for establishing a university in Riyadh exclusively for women" he said. Abubakr advised Saudi authorities to organize the arrival and departure of Umrah pilgrims more efficiently while underscoring the government's endeavors to enhance facilities for pilgrims.'Pilgrims should be informed in which terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport they will be landing in order to avoid confusion for them as well as for those coming to airport to receive them" he said.Abubakr who has worked as assistant Arabic professor in India and translator and administrator in the Kingdom emphasized the need for building low-cost housing facilities in Makkah and Madinah to accommodate ordinary pilgrims who cannot afford staying at five-star hotels.He said his current visit gave him an opportunity to meet with his old friends in Yanbu Jeddah and Riyadh after having left the Kingdom for good three years ago. 'I have worked in Yanbu for 20 years and I consider this industrial city as my second home."