07-04-2025
From Erbil to Mecca on foot: Awar Suleiman's inspiring trek
Erbil ( – Awar Suleiman, a young Iraqi man from Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, undertook an extraordinary adventure by walking to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in a test of faith and perseverance. His arduous journey evolved into a profoundly human experience, characterized in particular by the tremendous kindness he experienced in the province of Anbar, Iraq.
Armed with a tiny rucksack and a strong sense of will, Awar set off from Erbil with the ultimate objective of walking to Mecca. But as he approached the outskirts of Ramadi city in Anbar, extreme heat and fatigue finally took their toll after a considerable amount of travel.
The people of Anbar demonstrated their unwavering support during these trying times. 'When he told me he was walking to Mecca… we in Anbar consider a guest like a brother,' neighbor Mohammed Khamas recounted, offering Awar food and rest even though he insisted on going. After witnessing him walking in the heat, another neighbor, Umm Yousif, felt obliged to assist, saying, 'It was our duty… this is the upbringing of Anbar's people.'
Residents weren't the only ones receiving assistance. Security forces unexpectedly assisted Awar, who later thanked Colonel Basim Humaid on Facebook for personally ensuring his safe passage through Anbar and describing his leadership as essential to the success of the trip.
Awar Suleiman's voyage demonstrated the Anbar people's unwavering generosity and gallantry (Nakhwa), going beyond simply overcoming distance. As the villagers offered the young Kurdish man assistance throughout his visit to Mecca, his story eloquently demonstrates how humanity transcends boundaries and distances.
