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Arab News
05-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Arab News
Physically demanding Hajj journeys echo pilgrimages of the past
RIYADH: While some worshippers choose to travel to Hajj in comfort, others see the pilgrimage as an opportunity to test their physical and spiritual fortitude. Following in the long tradition of epic journeys that led the faithful of history to Makkah, adventurous Muslims today are challenging themselves in a variety of ways. This year, three friends on horseback rode more than 8,000 kilometers over seven months from the south of Spain to Saudi Arabia to complete the Islamic rites in the holy capital. Their route retraced a historic one first trod by Andalusian Muslims living in Europe more than 500 years ago. Abdelkader Harkassi, Abdallah Hernandez and Tariq Rodriguez travelled through Spain, France, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Turkiye, Syria and Jordan before crossing into Saudi Arabia's Northern Borders region and making their way to Makkah. Hernandez told Arab News that the ride was a 'trip of challenges where every step (was) felt by us and the horses, but (was) also a journey for the soul.' The riders set off with limited funds and were supported by Muslims that they met along the way. Another group of worshippers took to the seas, taking about two months to sail more than 7,400km from London to Makkah. Abdul Wahid, Tauseef Ahmed, Jody McIntyre, Dobbir Uddin and Taher Akhtar from London had no previous sailing experience before training for the maritime mission. Speaking to Arab News, Wahid, 38, said he was inspired by the combination of influences of his Muslim faith and the maritime history of the UK. 'It is kind of merging our religion Islam with the country (where) we are residing, and reviving this long-forgotten way to Hajj,' he said. In June 2022, British pilgrim Adam Mohammed arrived in Makkah after setting off from his home in Wolverhampton, UK 11 months earlier and 6,500km away. He walked through the Netherlands, Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan to reach Saudi Arabia. Mohammed told Arab News at the time that, while studying the Qu'ran during COVID-19 lockdowns, he felt a spiritual calling inviting him on the journey. 'Suddenly, I woke up one day and something inside me told me to go to Makkah all the way by foot from my home,' he said. 'I could not ignore this voice and decided to go for it.' Pulling a 250kg cart in which he slept, prepared food and kept his personal belongings, Mohammed said that there were 'no big difficulties' on his travels, and that he was undertaking the challenge for religion and not for fame. Nabil Ennasri, a French pilgrim of Moroccan origin, cycled more than 5,000km to reach Makkah for the 2023 Hajj season. He began his journey in Paris and crossed 11 countries including Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Greece, Jordan and Turkiye. The 41-year-old wanted to revive the traditional pilgrimage experience and use his trip to raise awareness for global warming. Ennasri was able to retrace the historical journey taken by Muslims, and some of his own relatives, in the past. 'Some members of my family also traveled on foot. It could have taken months or even years. Some lost their lives during the journey,' he said. 'When I remember these moments, I find the strength in me.' Explaining the significance of his journey, he added: 'My first objective is to explain global warming; it is very important for our children and future generations. 'My second goal is to understand what kind of difficulties people (experienced) on pilgrimage in ancient times, to understand their long journeys on foot.' The trip was reminiscent of those carried out by millions of Muslims over the centuries, most of whom would have to have endured far greater hardships than travelers today. Perhaps history's most well-known Muslim explorer, Ibn Battuta, set off from his native Morocco in 1325 and did not return for another 24 years. He ended up discovering a love of travelling, reaching as far as China, but the first leg of his journey was to the holy capital to perform Hajj. In 2020, a Moroccan named Ghulam Yassin arrived in Makkah after retracing much of Ibn Battuta's original journey. Yassin travelled on foot and by bicycle for four years to perform Hajj — one of the five essential pillars of Islam. Generous Saudis were so inspired by his journey that they pledged to cover the cost of his pilgrimage the following year. In June 2022, Indian pilgrim Shihab Chottur arrived in Makkah after walking 8,600km from his home in Malappuram, Kerala. Chottur, who was 31 at the time, set off on foot carrying 12kg of luggage with $8,500 in his pocket. He passed through Pakistan, Iran, Iraq and Kuwait, and a year later arrived in the Kingdom. The money he brought with him turned out not to be needed, because the Saudi government and Indian consulate decided to sponsor his Hajj. Instead, the shop owner used it to pay for his mother to complete the pilgrimage the following year. The Hajj pilgrimage is mandatory for all Muslims who are physically and financially able to complete it at least once in their life. While the Saudi authorities continue to make the process more accessible and comfortable for all believers, including those with mobility issues, every year physically demanding journeys such as these remind us of the difficulties of performing Hajj in the past.
Arab News
06-05-2025
- Arab News
Bangladeshi leader sends letter to Saudi crown prince about bilateral relations
Three Spanish friends rewriting history to perform Hajj on horseback Jeddah: Three friends rode on horseback from Spain to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj, reviving a pilgrimage route last used by Andalusian Muslims more than 500 years ago. They reached Saudi Arabia's Northern Borders region last week in time for Hajj after travelling through Spain, France, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Turkiye, Syria and Jordan on a 8,000 km (4,970 miles) journey. The three Spanish Muslims, Abdelkader Harkassi, Abdallah Hernandez and Tariq Rodriguez, are fulfilling a long-held ambition after embracing Islam 35 years ago. The three riders are accompanied by Bouchaib Jadil, a construction master living in Spain, who is providing logistical support to the team by leading the way in a car. It all started when Abdullah Hernandez reverted to Islam 35 years ago. He told Arab News about how he felt grateful toward Allah for blessing him with guidance — Heidaya — and he promised to complete the Hajj pilgrimage the way his Andalusian ancestors did. The team practiced for two years before setting off in October 2024 from Al-Monaster Mosque, south of Spain. After crossing the border of Jordan on May 2, the three Spanish friends arrived in Qurayyat city in Al-Jawf Province, in northern Saudi Arabia on Friday after a remarkable seven-month horseback journey. During their stop in Qurayyat, the pilgrims were hosted by the head of Al-Haditha Center, Mamdouh Al-Mutairi, who welcomed them to the Kingdom and wished them a pleasant stay and an acceptable and easy Hajj, meeting with students and supporters. The pilgrims were received with a warm welcome from the residents of Qurayyat, who posed for memorable photos with them. Hernandez told Arab News: 'The team is very excited as we are getting closer to Makkah and Madinah. These holy cities are very special to us, and we have been dreaming of reaching them for a long time. Our hearts feel full of love and hope, and we are looking forward to this moment with deep respect and happiness. 'Through this journey we want to recover a historical Andalusian route from Spain to the Harram of Makkah. It is also a trip of challenges where every step is felt by us and the horses, but also is a journey for the soul,' he added. One of the Hajj pilgrims, Harkassi, said they were happy to revive a lost tradition. He added that the team saved money and trained for several years for the journey. He said: 'We embarked on this journey with pure intentions to realize the Hajj.' He added: 'We are almost there, and hopefully, the rest of the journey will be easier.' Their journey, spanning diverse landscapes and extreme weather conditions, is being shared with followers on social media. 'Crossing borders has been the biggest challenge. Some countries were more difficult to cross than others as horses are not considered a mode of transport anymore, but instead they need to be 'imported' into each country as livestock, but Alhamdulillah, we have managed to complete all the paperwork so far,' said Hernandez. Their expedition, known as 'Hajj on Horseback,' was warmly welcomed by Muslims and non-Muslims. Hernandez added: 'We've been received with open arms everywhere we've gone — each country has somehow managed to be even more welcoming than the one before, MashAllah. 'Whether in Muslim or non-Muslim countries, people have shown incredible hospitality: Inviting us into their homes, sharing meals with us, listening to our stories and engaging in meaningful conversations about Islam. 'The warmth we've experienced in Muslim countries has been especially profound, reflecting the deep sense of unity within our Ummah. This beautiful spirit is clearly visible in our recent videos from Turkiye and Syria.' The team set off with limited funds, but received support from local Muslims along the way to finance the costs of the unique journey.
Arab News
06-05-2025
- Arab News
Saudi crown prince attends Cabinet meeting in Jeddah
Three Spanish friends rewriting history to perform Hajj on horseback Jeddah: Three friends rode on horseback from Spain to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj, reviving a pilgrimage route last used by Andalusian Muslims more than 500 years ago. They reached Saudi Arabia's Northern Borders region last week in time for Hajj after travelling through Spain, France, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Turkiye, Syria and Jordan on a 8,000 km (4,970 miles) journey. The three Spanish Muslims, Abdelkader Harkassi, Abdallah Hernandez and Tariq Rodriguez, are fulfilling a long-held ambition after embracing Islam 35 years ago. The three riders are accompanied by Bouchaib Jadil, a construction master living in Spain, who is providing logistical support to the team by leading the way in a car. It all started when Abdullah Hernandez reverted to Islam 35 years ago. He told Arab News about how he felt grateful toward Allah for blessing him with guidance — Heidaya — and he promised to complete the Hajj pilgrimage the way his Andalusian ancestors did. The team practiced for two years before setting off in October 2024 from Al-Monaster Mosque, south of Spain. After crossing the border of Jordan on May 2, the three Spanish friends arrived in Qurayyat city in Al-Jawf Province, in northern Saudi Arabia on Friday after a remarkable seven-month horseback journey. During their stop in Qurayyat, the pilgrims were hosted by the head of Al-Haditha Center, Mamdouh Al-Mutairi, who welcomed them to the Kingdom and wished them a pleasant stay and an acceptable and easy Hajj, meeting with students and supporters. The pilgrims were received with a warm welcome from the residents of Qurayyat, who posed for memorable photos with them. Hernandez told Arab News: 'The team is very excited as we are getting closer to Makkah and Madinah. These holy cities are very special to us, and we have been dreaming of reaching them for a long time. Our hearts feel full of love and hope, and we are looking forward to this moment with deep respect and happiness. 'Through this journey we want to recover a historical Andalusian route from Spain to the Harram of Makkah. It is also a trip of challenges where every step is felt by us and the horses, but also is a journey for the soul,' he added. One of the Hajj pilgrims, Harkassi, said they were happy to revive a lost tradition. He added that the team saved money and trained for several years for the journey. He said: 'We embarked on this journey with pure intentions to realize the Hajj.' He added: 'We are almost there, and hopefully, the rest of the journey will be easier.' Their journey, spanning diverse landscapes and extreme weather conditions, is being shared with followers on social media. 'Crossing borders has been the biggest challenge. Some countries were more difficult to cross than others as horses are not considered a mode of transport anymore, but instead they need to be 'imported' into each country as livestock, but Alhamdulillah, we have managed to complete all the paperwork so far,' said Hernandez. Their expedition, known as 'Hajj on Horseback,' was warmly welcomed by Muslims and non-Muslims. Hernandez added: 'We've been received with open arms everywhere we've gone — each country has somehow managed to be even more welcoming than the one before, MashAllah. 'Whether in Muslim or non-Muslim countries, people have shown incredible hospitality: Inviting us into their homes, sharing meals with us, listening to our stories and engaging in meaningful conversations about Islam. 'The warmth we've experienced in Muslim countries has been especially profound, reflecting the deep sense of unity within our Ummah. This beautiful spirit is clearly visible in our recent videos from Turkiye and Syria.' The team set off with limited funds, but received support from local Muslims along the way to finance the costs of the unique journey.
Arab News
06-05-2025
- Arab News
New initiative focuses on water efficiency
Three Spanish friends rewriting history to perform Hajj on horseback Jeddah: Three friends rode on horseback from Spain to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj, reviving a pilgrimage route last used by Andalusian Muslims more than 500 years ago. They reached Saudi Arabia's Northern Borders region last week in time for Hajj after travelling through Spain, France, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Turkiye, Syria and Jordan on a 8,000 km (4,970 miles) journey. The three Spanish Muslims, Abdelkader Harkassi, Abdallah Hernandez and Tariq Rodriguez, are fulfilling a long-held ambition after embracing Islam 35 years ago. The three riders are accompanied by Bouchaib Jadil, a construction master living in Spain, who is providing logistical support to the team by leading the way in a car. It all started when Abdullah Hernandez reverted to Islam 35 years ago. He told Arab News about how he felt grateful toward Allah for blessing him with guidance — Heidaya — and he promised to complete the Hajj pilgrimage the way his Andalusian ancestors did. The team practiced for two years before setting off in October 2024 from Al-Monaster Mosque, south of Spain. After crossing the border of Jordan on May 2, the three Spanish friends arrived in Qurayyat city in Al-Jawf Province, in northern Saudi Arabia on Friday after a remarkable seven-month horseback journey. During their stop in Qurayyat, the pilgrims were hosted by the head of Al-Haditha Center, Mamdouh Al-Mutairi, who welcomed them to the Kingdom and wished them a pleasant stay and an acceptable and easy Hajj, meeting with students and supporters. The pilgrims were received with a warm welcome from the residents of Qurayyat, who posed for memorable photos with them. Hernandez told Arab News: 'The team is very excited as we are getting closer to Makkah and Madinah. These holy cities are very special to us, and we have been dreaming of reaching them for a long time. Our hearts feel full of love and hope, and we are looking forward to this moment with deep respect and happiness. 'Through this journey we want to recover a historical Andalusian route from Spain to the Harram of Makkah. It is also a trip of challenges where every step is felt by us and the horses, but also is a journey for the soul,' he added. One of the Hajj pilgrims, Harkassi, said they were happy to revive a lost tradition. He added that the team saved money and trained for several years for the journey. He said: 'We embarked on this journey with pure intentions to realize the Hajj.' He added: 'We are almost there, and hopefully, the rest of the journey will be easier.' Their journey, spanning diverse landscapes and extreme weather conditions, is being shared with followers on social media. 'Crossing borders has been the biggest challenge. Some countries were more difficult to cross than others as horses are not considered a mode of transport anymore, but instead they need to be 'imported' into each country as livestock, but Alhamdulillah, we have managed to complete all the paperwork so far,' said Hernandez. Their expedition, known as 'Hajj on Horseback,' was warmly welcomed by Muslims and non-Muslims. Hernandez added: 'We've been received with open arms everywhere we've gone — each country has somehow managed to be even more welcoming than the one before, MashAllah. 'Whether in Muslim or non-Muslim countries, people have shown incredible hospitality: Inviting us into their homes, sharing meals with us, listening to our stories and engaging in meaningful conversations about Islam. 'The warmth we've experienced in Muslim countries has been especially profound, reflecting the deep sense of unity within our Ummah. This beautiful spirit is clearly visible in our recent videos from Turkiye and Syria.' The team set off with limited funds, but received support from local Muslims along the way to finance the costs of the unique journey.
Arab News
06-05-2025
- Arab News
Makkah's security forces crack down on illegal Hajj pilgrims
Three Spanish friends rewriting history to perform Hajj on horseback Jeddah: Three friends rode on horseback from Spain to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj, reviving a pilgrimage route last used by Andalusian Muslims more than 500 years ago. They reached Saudi Arabia's Northern Borders region last week in time for Hajj after travelling through Spain, France, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Turkiye, Syria and Jordan on a 8,000 km (4,970 miles) journey. The three Spanish Muslims, Abdelkader Harkassi, Abdallah Hernandez and Tariq Rodriguez, are fulfilling a long-held ambition after embracing Islam 35 years ago. The three riders are accompanied by Bouchaib Jadil, a construction master living in Spain, who is providing logistical support to the team by leading the way in a car. It all started when Abdullah Hernandez reverted to Islam 35 years ago. He told Arab News about how he felt grateful toward Allah for blessing him with guidance — Heidaya — and he promised to complete the Hajj pilgrimage the way his Andalusian ancestors did. The team practiced for two years before setting off in October 2024 from Al-Monaster Mosque, south of Spain. After crossing the border of Jordan on May 2, the three Spanish friends arrived in Qurayyat city in Al-Jawf Province, in northern Saudi Arabia on Friday after a remarkable seven-month horseback journey. During their stop in Qurayyat, the pilgrims were hosted by the head of Al-Haditha Center, Mamdouh Al-Mutairi, who welcomed them to the Kingdom and wished them a pleasant stay and an acceptable and easy Hajj, meeting with students and supporters. The pilgrims were received with a warm welcome from the residents of Qurayyat, who posed for memorable photos with them. Hernandez told Arab News: 'The team is very excited as we are getting closer to Makkah and Madinah. These holy cities are very special to us, and we have been dreaming of reaching them for a long time. Our hearts feel full of love and hope, and we are looking forward to this moment with deep respect and happiness. 'Through this journey we want to recover a historical Andalusian route from Spain to the Harram of Makkah. It is also a trip of challenges where every step is felt by us and the horses, but also is a journey for the soul,' he added. One of the Hajj pilgrims, Harkassi, said they were happy to revive a lost tradition. He added that the team saved money and trained for several years for the journey. He said: 'We embarked on this journey with pure intentions to realize the Hajj.' He added: 'We are almost there, and hopefully, the rest of the journey will be easier.' Their journey, spanning diverse landscapes and extreme weather conditions, is being shared with followers on social media. 'Crossing borders has been the biggest challenge. Some countries were more difficult to cross than others as horses are not considered a mode of transport anymore, but instead they need to be 'imported' into each country as livestock, but Alhamdulillah, we have managed to complete all the paperwork so far,' said Hernandez. Their expedition, known as 'Hajj on Horseback,' was warmly welcomed by Muslims and non-Muslims. Hernandez added: 'We've been received with open arms everywhere we've gone — each country has somehow managed to be even more welcoming than the one before, MashAllah. 'Whether in Muslim or non-Muslim countries, people have shown incredible hospitality: Inviting us into their homes, sharing meals with us, listening to our stories and engaging in meaningful conversations about Islam. 'The warmth we've experienced in Muslim countries has been especially profound, reflecting the deep sense of unity within our Ummah. This beautiful spirit is clearly visible in our recent videos from Turkiye and Syria.' The team set off with limited funds, but received support from local Muslims along the way to finance the costs of the unique journey.
