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Leaders
3 days ago
- Leaders
Spanish Muslims Make Hajj Journey on Horseback
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.' Related Topics: Saudi Interior Min.: Tourism Companies Deceive Pilgrims, Encourage Hajj Violations Riyadh Global Health Exhibition to Bring Together Int'nal Healthcare Experts Intensive Preparations for Smooth, Safe Hajj Season: Mecca Deputy Governor New Chapter Unfolded: Saudi Arabia Launches Electronic Intensive Care Unit Short link : Post Views: 55
CairoScene
30-05-2025
- CairoScene
This Group of Spanish Muslims Is Performing Hajj on Horseback
This Group of Spanish Muslims Is Performing Hajj on Horseback For eight months, they have guided their horses across continents along the ancient Andalusian route to Makkah, a path not trodden for centuries. The rhythmic clatter of hooves on ancient paths carries prayers and promises—echoes of a route long forgotten, now revived. It all started when three Spanish Muslims—Abdelkader Harkassi, Abdallah Hernández, and Tarek Rodríguez—set out to guide their horses across continents along the ancient Andalusian route to Makkah, a path not trodden for centuries. The journey began when Hernández, a Spanish convert, forged a bond with Harkassi during a 10-month academic project in London translating a 10th-century manuscript on falconry. By the end of their scholarly mission, a brotherhood had formed. Hernández, who was born Catholic, confided that he had once made a promise to Allah: that if he ever performed Hajj, it would be on horseback. 'Through pressure and challenges, we realised—we're a great team,' Harkassi shares with SceneTraveller. 'So, I told him I'm with you. Let's make it happen.' With that, a promise turned into purpose. Four years of grueling preparation tested their limits. Across Portugal's sweltering heatwaves and Spain's winter frost, they refined their endurance with Aseel mares—horses bred for long-distance resilience. 'Training was ten times harder than the journey,' Harkassi recalls. 'We tested everything: the horses, our gear, and our will.' Their route retraces the footsteps of Spanish Muslim Omar Patón, who travelled to Makkah by land over 500 years ago, passing through Alexandria, Damascus, and Jerusalem. Inspired by his journey, the modern-day group originally planned to follow a similar path through North Africa—but political borders and regional conflicts redirected them through Europe. And so, they started their journey from Almonaster Mosque in the south of Spain and continued through France, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, and Serbia. The road has not spared them its trials. In Bosnia, their horses went missing for three days after wandering into a minefield—haunting remnants of the Balkan War. 'It felt surreal—like a scene from a movie.' Bureaucratic barriers, like those faced at the Serbian border, added to their challenges. Yet, generosity lit their path—equestrian communities, mosques, and strangers of all faiths opened their doors. 'We've met atheists, fascists, people with misconceptions about Islam—but when they saw we rode for faith, not fame or money, it changed their perspective.' The heart of their expedition lies in their team. Tarek Rodríguez, who joined at the last minute, became their steadfast companion in the saddle. Bouchaib Jadil, their vital support driver, carries their supplies and ensures the horses' well-being. Documenting it all is influencer Abdelrahman Al Mutiri, who's making sure their story reaches thousands around the world. With Saudi Arabia now on the horizon, the dream of seeing the Kaaba grows stronger. Eight months of riding through hardship, hunger, and cold, leading to this final stretch. For Harkassi, the essence of Hajj isn't just about reaching Makkah but in every mile, every soul, and every trial that brought them there. 'The path is the pilgrimage,' he reflects. 'The land, the faces, the stories—these are the blessings you miss when you fly.' The journey has already reshaped him. 'We left with خوف و رجاء—hope and fear,' he says. 'The journey has shown us that everything is possible for Allah. We all say it, we try to believe it—but now we've lived it. We know it.' Arriving in Makkah means the world to them, after all the challenges that the road threw at them, it'll make this journey worth it all. 'After eight months of riding, seeing the Kaaba for the first time will definitely be overwhelming. It'll be a dream made real—after all the hardship, it'll be worth every step.'
