Spanish Muslims Make Hajj Journey on Horseback

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2 days ago

The journey started when Hernández, a Spanish convert to Islam, formed a close connection with Harkassi during a 10-month academic project in London, where they translated a 10th-century manuscript on falconry. By the end of their scholarly endeavor, a deep brotherhood had emerged. Born into Catholicism, Hernández shared that he had once vowed to Allah that if he ever undertook the Hajj pilgrimage, he would do so on horseback.
'Through all the pressure and challenges, we realized we made a great team,' Harkassi told SceneTraveller . 'So I said, I'm with you. Let's do it.' That vow became a mission.
Preparing for this journey took four years of rigorous training. From Portugal's blistering summers to Spain's icy winters, they pushed their limits alongside their Aseel mares—horses known for their endurance. 'Training was ten times harder than the journey itself,' Harkassi admits. 'We tested everything—our horses, our equipment, even our resolve.'
Spanish Muslim
Their route traces the historical path of Omar Patón, a Spanish Muslim who made the pilgrimage to Makkah over 500 years ago, traveling through Alexandria, Damascus, and Jerusalem. Initially, they intended to follow his footsteps via North Africa, but regional instability and border restrictions forced them to chart a new course through Europe. Their journey began at the Almonaster Mosque in southern Spain and took them through France, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, and Serbia.
The road has not been easy. In Bosnia, their horses disappeared for three days after straying into a former minefield—eerie remnants of the Balkan War. 'It felt like something out of a movie,' they recalled. Bureaucratic red tape, like delays at the Serbian border, added further obstacles. Yet they were met with unexpected kindness along the way. Equestrian clubs, mosques, and even non-Muslims offered help. 'We met atheists, fascists, people with all kinds of misconceptions about Islam,' said Harkassi. 'But once they saw we were riding not for fame or money, but for faith, it changed them.'
The heart of their journey is their team. Tarek Rodríguez, who joined just before departure, has become a vital rider. Bouchaib Jadil drives their support vehicle, managing supplies and horse care. Meanwhile, influencer Abdelrahman Al Mutiri is documenting their story, sharing it with thousands online.
Now, with Saudi Arabia in sight, their dream is nearing reality. Eight months of hardship—through cold, hunger, and exhaustion—are culminating in this final stretch. But for Harkassi, the meaning of Hajj lies in the journey itself. 'The path is the pilgrimage,' he says. 'The land, the people, the stories—these are the blessings you miss when you fly.'
This experience has changed them. 'We left with khawf wa raja' —hope and fear,' Harkassi reflects. 'Now, we've lived what it means to trust Allah completely. We don't just believe it—we know it.'
Soon, they will lay eyes on the Kaaba for the first time. After everything they've endured, that moment will mean everything. 'Eight months on horseback,' Harkassi says. 'Seeing the Kaaba will be overwhelming. A dream fulfilled. Every hardship—worth it.'
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